COEUR d'ALENE - A town hall meeting to discuss health care changes at the Veterans Administration hospital in Spokane was deemed a success, organizers said Tuesday.

The meeting, which was held from 3-5 p.m. on Monday in Spokane, attracted approximately 50 veterans who were concerned with the hospital's decision to cut back emergency services and how payment for off-site medical care would work.

Dr. Kimberly Morris said she felt the meeting went well.

"The primary issues were the new Choice Cards and the transition of the emergency room transition to urgent care," she said, adding program eligibility and billing issues were also discussed.

"I think it went very well," she said. "To have that interaction between staff and the vets is very important. These meetings are very worthwhile."

Ted Pulver, a disabled veteran who uses the hospital for his back issues, said the meeting was informative.

"To tell the truth, for me it was very worthwhile," he said. "They made themselves available to answer questions."

He said most vets wanted to know what would happen if they needed emergency heath care after the hospital closes in the evening. Hospital staff said to call the VA before a trip to the hospital, and most of the time that would be enough to get the authorization for care.

"I was glad to hear that," he said.

Pulver said the vets just want to make sure they aren't going to get stuck with emergency room charges because they don't have access to the VA emergency room.

Pulver said the VA anticipates being able to reopen the emergency room next spring.

Morris said spring is the goal because the VA has to hire four more emergency room workers, which they are actively trying to recruit.

"We already hired one person and we are starting to get more applications this past month," she said. "We are encouraged by that."

Overall, Pulver said he thinks those who attended got what they were looking for.

"Even the VA and the American Legion guys seemed pretty satisfied," he said.

The American Legion will hold its own town hall meeting this afternoon starting at 3 p.m. in the Steven H. Nipp American Legion Post 143, 1138 E. Poleline Ave.

The Legion's national health care experts will be on hand to inform vets of the new health care changes.