Stutzman, Boyd shed light on the VA hospital temporarily "pausing" some services

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Congressman Marlin Stutzman is still trying to resolve whatever the problem is at the Fort Wayne VA hospital in a timely manner.  NewsChannel 15's Megan Reust caught up with the man running against Stutzman, Kevin Boyd.  He told Reust Stutzman should have seen this coming.

On Tuesday, officials at the VA hospital abruptly paused services in the ICU and Acute Medical Unit.  As of Thursday those same services are still temporarily unavailable.

Democrat Kevin Boyd is running to unseat current U.S. Congressman Marlin Stutzman.  He said what happened is unacceptable.

"The sudden closure and really no timeline for when it will be opened if it will be back open again throws a lot of uncertainty and hardship on our local veterans," Boyd said.

On Thursday, Rep. Marlin Stutzman (IN-03) released the following statement on the pause of services at Fort Wayne VA Hospital:

"I have maintained an open dialogue with VA officials both on the ground and at high levels,” said Stutzman. “Michael Finegan, the director of inpatient and outpatient health care in our region, has assured me that this is a temporary pause, undertaken for a public health evaluation focusing on the safety of our veterans. This community deserves nothing less than complete transparency from VA officials. Neither bureaucratic red-tape nor political posturing ensures the wellbeing of our veterans. Preserving quality inpatient care at our local VA continues to be one of my highest priorities and I will continue working to see that the VA resolves this matter in a timely and open fashion."

Boyd said an Inspectors General report was released last year, listing inadequacies at the Fort Wayne VA hospital.  He said Stutzman has known there are issues that need to be addressed.

"For a year and a half, Marlin Stutzman and his office should have been aware of this. He's on the Veteran's Affairs committee. Something should have been done and a plan should had been made rather than just this abrupt closing without any kind of timeline."

The hospital tells NewsChannel 15 this temporary closure of the two units is so it can review policies, procedures, and better train staff.

On Thursday, Boyd held a "Protect the VA" rally at Lakeside Park.

Tom Keen, candidate for State Senate District 16, and Tom Hayhurst, former Fort Wayne City Councilman and Third District Congressional candidate, were both at the rally.

The VA hospital in Fort Wayne announced they would be "pausing" in-patient services on Tuesday .

NewsChannel 15 spoke with veterans on Tuesday evening. The vets at the New Haven American Legion Post said they felt like they've been left in the dark and wondered if the "pausing" of care was start of a possible closure for the Fort Wayne VA hospital.

NewsChannel 15's Megan Reust uncovered the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General just released an inspection on the Fort Wayne VA hospital.  Click here to see the report , which was released on Wednesday.