Shutdown Not Halting Medical Care At V.A. Hospital
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. (CBS) -- Employees aren't being paid, but otherwise it has been business as usual at a Veterans Affairs hospital in the far northern suburbs during the federal government shutdown.
WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports, with the shutdown dragging into its second week, money to pay healthcare workers at the James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago ran out last weekend, but employees are still on the job.
V.A. Hospital Still Running During Government Shutdown
"VA civilians working at Lovell Federal Healthcare Center are currently considered excepted, which means they will be paid when an appropriations bill is passed," spokeswoman Stephanie McCrobie said.
Patient care has not been disrupted, as employees have continued to show up for work.
"Employees understand that we're here to serve patients. We're a hospital. Our concern is always our patients, and putting them first. So they understand that they are essential to the hospital, and they need to come and work," McCrobie said.
Lovell serves about 80,000 patients a year, including veterans, their families, and active duty sailors and recruits from nearby Naval Station Great Lakes.
