April 5th, 2022 – Islip Town officials called upon the US Department of Veterans Affairs to reconsider proposed cuts to services at the Northport VA Hospital, and to immediately restore their full funding.

“These brave men and women, many of whom went to war representing our country and defending our freedom, some suffering from physical and emotional disabilities including debilitating PTSD as a result, deserve the same quality healthcare we would want for our own loved ones,” said Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter.

“I am deeply upset. It is truly a shame and travesty that Northport VA Hospital will be cutting critical services to our veterans. Nassau and Suffolk Counties have the largest number of Veterans that frequent and are dependent upon Northport VA Hospital. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs should reconsider their decision, and keep the Northport VA Hospital without any cuts to continue to provide the critical services to our deserving veterans,” said Town Councilman John Cochrane.

“There are more than 100,000 Veterans who live in Nassau and Suffolk, and many rely on the Northport VA Hospital for medical services. We must fight for those who fought for our country, and keep the hospital open and fully funded,” said Town Councilwoman Mary Kate Mullen.

Islip Town Councilman James O’Connor said, “To propose cutting services while not having a plan in place for all those that are currently receiving services is cruel and unacceptable! Our men AND WOMEN who have served our country deserve so much better from their government! This proposal should not move forward until the VA can explain, in detail, their plan to continue to offer access to vital and EARNED services to our Vets!”

“There are over 100,000 veterans on Long Island and about 2/3 of them are seniors, according to WHSU Public Radio. We have the highest concentration of veterans in the nation and even suggesting cuts is an offense and slap in the face of our men and women who have served our country. We demand that more money be allocated to our Northport VA Hospital to improve services in many needed areas,” said Councilman Jorge Guadrón.

Supervisor Angie Carpenter further stated that “we are totally united and committed to our veterans. Any cuts to the necessary services offered at the Northport VA Hospital are a travesty, and MUST not be considered, and not balanced on the backs of our veterans.”