Auburn Community Hospital has reached out to federal representatives in its quest to continue operating Auburn’s outpatient clinic for veterans after recently losing a bid for the clinic, asking that local veterans’ feelings be considered.
The Syracuse Veterans Affairs Medical Center recently appointed health clinic operator STG International to be a provider for an Auburn clinic over the Auburn hospital, which has held the contract for the clinic for more than 20 years.
Matt Chadderdon, vice president of marketing for the hospital, said Friday the hospital has reached out to the offices of Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer and U.S. Rep. John Katko about pausing the awarding of the contract until the process and decision are reviewed.
STG International, which is based in Virginia, was picked as part of the established Department of Veteran Affairs federal solicitation and award selection process, in which VA clinic contracts are competitively bid every five years. ACH still currently provides primary and behavioral health care and specialty referral services to around 1,400 veterans in Cayuga County and the surrounding area through the clinic.