CORRECTION
Due to a reporter’s error, a story on Page A1 of the June 11 Item misstated City Council President Jay Walsh’s position on moving the VA Clinic out of Lynn. Walsh opposed the move. The Item regrets the error.
LYNN — Veterans and members of the Massachusetts Senior Action Council (MSAC) gathered on the corner of Boston Street and Franklin Street Friday afternoon to protest for negotiations to extend the lease of the VA clinic on Boston Street.
Cars honked on Franklin Street, as about 18 protesters cheered and held signs reading “Honk to keep VA open.”
In February, the City Council voted 10-0 to oppose a resolution opposed by Council President Jay Walsh to move the clinic elsewhere. MSAC Director of Organizing Pam Edwards said that although the proposition was opposed in February, the clinic’s lease will end in 18 months, and she has not received confirmation that the VA will be able to renew it. Edwards said she fears the VA hospital will be combined with Salem, putting Lynn Veterans at a disadvantage.
“They have not given us any commitment to keep it open. They have said that it’s going to be way down the line. But right now we know that this building’s lease is up in 18 months, and there are no negotiations going on to continue the lease,” Edwards said. “How can they do this to our Veterans? 2,000 people use this – low-income, minority people, and whenever we already don’t have a hospital in Lynn, 2,000 people are going to be shoved into Salem’s crowded hospital.”
Among the protestors was World War II Veteran Ralph Jameson, 95, who said that he needs medical treatment close to home. Jameson also said that he feels abandoned by the proposal to move the VA clinic.
“We’ve lost two hospitals, we have urgent care, but you have to be sick between 9:00 and 9:30, otherwise even that’s gone. I think it’s a necessity to have the VA here. It’s a lot more convenient for myself and the other veterans,” Jameson said. “I feel like we’re being abandoned. It’s really not fair because if it wasn’t for my two daughters, I wouldn’t be able to come here. This setup here is perfect, and if it’s good, leave it alone.”
VA Public Affairs Officer Kat Bailey said that there are no plans to close the Lynn VA clinic. She said that while there were recommendations to look for a new location, the VA is in the process of renewing their clinic for five more years.
“There have been no announcements nor decisions made regarding any VA veterans healthcare facilities closing anywhere. Nothing is changing for veteran access to care for VA employees, it is important to note that any recommendations to the upcoming AIR Commission are just that: recommendations required by the 2018 Mission Act. As for the Lynn VA clinic, we are in the process of renewing the lease for five more years,” Bailey said. “We ask the protesters to please stop protesting.”
Edwards said she encouraged the Lynn community to join the protests and to call Congressman Seth Moulton asking for his support. Congressman Moulton’s Communications Director Ron Eckstein said that he wants to make sure the people’s voices are heard throughout the process.
“We wanted to be as open and transparent as we can be, and also, we want to make sure that people’s voices are heard. Right now, through this AIR process, it’s a long process, but the most important thing for us is making sure that the constituents are heard. That people can speak their piece and make their concerns known to the VA before any movement happens. We’re not advocating for anything right now, we just want to make sure that the people are involved, and people are listened to,” Eckstein said.
Bailey said that veterans’ access to care is not being changed.
“Veterans will always be at the center of what we do. Nothing is changing now for veteran access to care,” Bailey said.
Edwards said protests will continue to demonstrate weekly until they receive confirmation that the VA clinic will remain on Boston Street.
Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at [email protected].
