Central Ohio Vets Call for New VA Hospital

A federal commission heard testimony Tuesday about expanding Columbus' V.A. clinic. Supporters of a new clinic say Columbus currently lacks space and resources but veterans advocates say Columbus needs more than a new clinic to meet the needs of a growing veteran population. The Chalmers P. Wylie outpatient clinic is a 118-thousand square foot building that opened in 1995 at its current site on James Road in East Columbus. According to the Veteran's Administration and veterans, the clinic is woefully inadequate. Hundreds of people travel to other Ohio cities weekly to receive treatment for ailments and injuries. Veterans and their advocates call on the federal government to build a new 26-thousand square foot, $65-million clinic at the defense supply center in Whitehall.