Fort Howard Veterans Administration Out Patient Clinic Permanently Closed

Fort Howard VA Out Patient Center

Fort Howard Community Association was advised by the Office Public & Community Relations,VA Maryland Health Care System today March 23, 2016 our veterans have lost the benefit of the Fort Howard VA Outpatient Clinic.

The Fort Howard VA Outpatient Clinic is permanently closed. Veterans will have to seek care at other locations.

Under the  current Veterans Administration Enhanced Use Leased stipulation with Fort Howard Development, LLC,  a newly constructed   state of the art Out Patient Center  is required by and at Fort Howard Development, LLC’s expense to be constructed  first and prior to any development to the site.

Due to the Veterans Administration permanent closure of the existing  Out Patient Center, the  Enhanced Use Leased stipulation and requirement of a new state of the art Out Patient Center is void effectively freeing  Fort Howard Development, LLC of the contractual upfront expenses and larger site development encumbrances of first having to  build a new Out Patient Center for our veterans.

Additionally, a Maryland State Veterans Home was  required to be built by Fort Howard Development LLC per the EUL agreement on the leased VA Fort Howard medical campus site.

That Maryland State Veterans Home requirement has been reported voided by the State of Maryland thus relieving Fort Howard Development LLC  of another EUL original requirement  upfront expense, and larger site development encumbrances, again stipulated in the original EUL,  to benefit our  veterans, specifically  Maryland’s Veterans.

Fort Howard Community Association has a submitted Freedom of Information Act to acquire   a copy of the Enhanced Use Lease between the Veterans Administration and Fort Howard Development LLC.

After several months and  as  of  to-date the Veterans Administration has not complied with the Fort Howard Community Association FOIA request for the EUL copy.
At the Maryland Veterans Administration website a post dated March 18, 2016 states:

          “After a more thorough assessment and evaluation of the water damage at the Fort Howard VA Outpatient Clinic, mold was found in several areas in the building.  Providing a safe and healthy environment for our veteran patients and employees is our top priority throughout the VA Maryland Health Care System. For this reason, the Fort Howard VA Outpatient Clinic will remain closed at this time.  The clinic initially closed March 9 as result of water damage, and all patient care activities and staff were transferred to the Loch Raven VA Outpatient Clinic, located at 3901 The Alameda in Baltimore, Maryland.  Due to the ongoing closure, patients will continue to receive their care at Loch Raven until alternate plans can be made to provide outpatient services in Eastern Baltimore County.  Veteran patients who receive their care at Fort Howard will be able to see their same primary care providers at the Loch Raven VA Outpatient Clinic throughout the closure.  The main phone line for the Fort Howard VA Outpatient Clinic has also been transferred to the Loch Raven VA Outpatient Clinic.  Patients can continue to dial (410) 477-1800 to schedule, change or cancel a clinic appointment or to speak with a member of their primary care team.  Patients who need medical advice or have questions about their medications may call the VA Maryland Health Care System’s Telephone Care Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-865-2441.  We apologize for any inconvenience the ongoing closure of the Fort Howard VA Outpatient Clinic may cause our veteran patients and employees as we continue to address the situation.”

Please share  this notice of the Fort Howard VA Out Patient Center permanent closure with you family and friends so they may seek medical attention at other VA facilities.