VA says it may shut down hospitals to close $2.5B budget gap

By Matthew Daly: The Department of Veterans Affairs may have to shut down some hospitals next month if Congress does not address a $2.5 billion shortfall for the current budget year, VA officials warned Monday.The VA told Congress that it needs to cover shortfalls caused by an increased demand by veterans for health care, including costly treatments for hepatitis C. The agency also is considering furloughs, hiring freezes and other steps to close a funding gap for the budget year that ends Sept. 30. Read article here:  http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/va-says-it-may-shut-down-hospitals-to-close-2-5b-budget-gap-1.357810