Mpls. VA reopens Wisconsin clinic after closings

(AP) - The Minneapolis VA Medical Center plans to open a clinic for veterans in northwestern Wisconsin after the closing of two VA clinics earlier this week, officials announced Friday.

The clinic will open Dec. 17 at the AmericInn Hotel in Rice Lake, Wis., and will be staffed by medical and support personnel from the Minneapolis VA. The clinic will operate temporarily until a permanent clinic is established in the area.

"We are taking this action because patient care is our priority," said Steven Kleinglass, director of the Minneapolis VA.

On Monday, a private contractor closed the VA clinics it runs in Rice Lake and Hayward, Wis., saying the VA hadn't fulfilled its promises to help run them profitably.

The Veterans Administration said Friday that negotiations were under way on the use of clinic space the contractor had leased in the two Wisconsin communities.

The two Wisconsin clinics served about 1,000 local veterans.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Volume Button
Volume
Now Listening To Livestream
MPR News logo
On Air
MPR News