VA STAFF STILL WORK DESPITE SHUTDOWN

POPLAR BLUFF -- Veterans continue to receive health care at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center despite the government shutdown.

"We're working," said Dewayne Coleman, the hospital's public affairs officer. "We're here and it's business as usual. We're still taking care of the veterans, but we're not getting paid."

More than 750,000 federal employees' salaries were halted at midnight, Dec. 15. Of those, about 200,000 VA employees nationwide continue to provide veterans services even though they aren't being paid.

Of the hospital's 400 employees, the shutdown has affected about 350, Coleman said. There are a few employee categories that still are funded, such as the Canteen and the billing department.

Also, the shutdown hasn't affected the VA's ability to pay its contract vendors, Coleman said.

"We can still pay the private sector for the goods we receive, like food for the veterans and drugs," he said. "We're still paying the bills."

Coleman said the Department of Veterans Affairs developed a comprehensive shutdown plan in September in anticipation of a potential lapse in appropriations on Sept. 30.

As part of it, the VA is required to temporarily lay off the equivalent of 8 percent of the work force -- 32 employees -- in addition to the non-pay status, Coleman said.

"We felt it would be devastating for 32 people, so we chose to spread it over all of the staff," he said. Most employees are being furloughed seven hours every two weeks.

"This way, we all share in the pain," said James Roseborough, acting medical center director."

It will take a continuing resolution or a new budget to end the shutdown, Coleman said. But even if the shutdown ends, it will take several weeks before the employees are paid because of the size of the Veterans Administration, Roseborough said.

Coleman said the shutdown's timing is poor. With the holidays, many employees had planned to take leave to be with their families. Those leaves were cancelled.

Roseborough and key staff met with three shifts on Thursday and Friday, Coleman said.

"He had to tell them they weren't getting paid," Coleman said. "It was not a good way to greet your new staff.

"They took it well. They understood. They've got a good work ethic and will work as hard to get everything done."

Coleman said although the shutdown might devastate some employees financially, "they know the job goes on and they'll be there.

"Many aren't going to be able to pay mortgages or other payments," he added. "The money is just not there."

If members request it, the Poplar Bluff Federal Credit Union is allowing them not to skip payment this month, Coleman said.

That payment will be added to the end of the loan, which is a "great help to us," Coleman said.

Coleman said the hospital is trying do what it can to lessen the effect of the shutdown.

Car pools are being established for workers in surrounding areas who can't afford to get to work. The hospital is compiling a list of social services available to those employees who qualify. The hospital also has an employee counseling program.