Local VA to lose 7 radiologists

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Veterans may have to fight again, but this time the battle could be for their health care.

News 13 has learned that the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center is ending its radiology contract with the veterans hospital.

The Veterans hospital has some serious concerns, according to the director.

The Chief of Radiology at the Albuquerque Veterans Affairs hospital sent out a letter to staff, stating that on April 1, seven out of ten radiologists will be leaving.

The letter, written by Dr. Fred Mettler, said UNM's Department of Radiology has been supplying services for the VA hospital for several years.

However, financials strains on the UNM School of Medicine led to the termination of the contract.

With only three radiologists left, health care could suffer.

The Chief of Radiology said that in a worst case scenario, the VA would not be able to interpret the vast majority of imaging services.

Three radiologists cannot do the work of ten, and the hospital will not be able to maintain its standard of care.

The Department Commander of the Disabled American Veterans, Dave Salazar, said the situation is unacceptable.

"The heath care for veterans is going to go down. I mean, way down. It's simply, they might have to do without it. They may have to do without emergency care because they can not afford to pay for it," he said.

VA staff were told to let a spokesperson make any statements. News 13 called the spokesperson, who said a news letter will be available Monday.

A UNM spokesperson said they are working on a transition plan that will not interrupt health care.

According to Mettler's letter to his staff, UNM and the VA have been trying to work out an agreement for five years.

UNM has contracted radiologists to the VA for about 40 years.

As a backup plan, the VA is looking at quickly hiring more radiologists, contracting services out or using UNM radiology students.