Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D. - 118th District) is asking federal lawmakers representing New York to call for an investigation into the bid process that led to the decision to move the VA clinic from Carthage Area Hospital to Watertown.

Russell is asking north country Congressman Bill Owens and New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to seek an investigation.

See Russell's news release

Earlier this week, Carthage Area Hospital learned it will be losing its contract to run its VA clinic.

The news came as a shock to the Carthage community because the hospital provides good care and hasn't had complaints.

Still, they had the contract stripped away from them by a Washington, D.C.-based firm called Valor Healthcare.

During a VA news conference that was supposed to welcome Valor to the community, a visibly angry Carthage Area Hospital Administrator Walter Becker said he wanted answers.

"Where are the decisions being made for you guys. Is it in Washington? Is it in Texas or, doggone it, is in Jefferson County where you guys are," said Becker.

Some leaders in the Carthage community have been skeptical about the change - thinking it might be politictally motivated.

At the news conference, VA officials admitted that CAH has provided good care to vets and they couldn't explain why the contract was stripped from them.

Hospital officials contend they were the lowest bidder for services and they've been railroaded by Washington bureaucrats.

Becker says he plan to fight to appeal the decision to relocate the clinic since the community members have contacted him with their concerns.

"I'm thinking, well, if the community is there ready to stand up and be counted, why shouldn't I be there too. So during the night I changed my whole attitude about the situation," he said.

While there are unanswered questions as to how CAH lost its contract, there have also been questions about Valor Healthcare's track record.

7 News learned VA clinics run by Valor have been the target of criticism.

(See our report about Valor's record.)

In Texas, vets complained Valor didn't provide good care.

There were also bookkeeping problems at one Valor clinic in Pennsylvania.

During the news conference, 7 News asked Valor officials about those problems.

"Quite frankly, they're history. I came here with great thanksgiving to this community because I know from my two years already with the company, we've brought a wonderful product to the community," said Jim Wheeler of Valor Healthcare.

For now, CAH will be shutting down its clinic at the end of the month.

Valor will step in with a new clinic in Watertown next year.

That means there's a two and a half month coverage gap. 

We asked VA officials what they plan to do and all they said was that they're still working on it.