Houghton County Medical Care Facility Working To Resolve VA Issue

The Houghton County Medical Care Facility is clarifying a report about Veterans Affairs not covering care at the facility.  Officials say that veterans within the facility are covered under their VA benefits.

In a press release from facility administrator Kim Salmi, it was stated that the real issue is that the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center located in Iron Mountain, through their Home and Community Based Care Office, had given notice earlier in the year that the facility had been placed on an Immediate Deferment for new admissions.  This notification was given via telephone in January of this year to the facility.

Facility officials have attempted multiple times to resolve the issue with the VA in order to continue to meet the needs of the community.

The Houghton County Medical Care Facility remains in good-standing with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the State of Michigan.  They are currently rated at a four-star rating for our Quality Measure which is better than national and state averages; and highest rating for quality measures in the tri-county area.

Salmi is optimistic that the issue will soon be resolved and they have also reached out to Congressman Jack Bergman, who serves on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, for additional assistance in this matter/issue.