Northeast Kansas Veterans Affairs officials spoke to Topeka City Council around 30-60 days before an official proposal to eliminate the emergency room at the Colmery-O Neil VA Medical Center could be made.
Leaders are considering designating the Topeka VA an urgent care as it has seen little demand at times for its emergency department. Changes might not take place until next year, said Rudy Klopfer, CEO of the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System.
Klopfer said he would write the proposal that could be approved by the VA’s Central Office.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough toured the medical center in April and said he was comfortable with the discussions around the changes but didn t much further.