WASHINGTON - To continue improving access to health care for the nation’s veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced plans to open 16 additional community-based outpatient clinics in 14 states and the District of Columbia.
Two of the new clinics will open in California, one in San MateoCounty and the other in San DiegoCounty. Besides Washington, D.C., other communities receiving new clinics are: Maricopa County, Ariz.; Freeport, Ill.; Salina, Kan.; Morehead, Ky.; Houma, La.; Pocomoke City, Md.; Wayne County, Mich.; Kandiyohi/Chippewa County, Minn.; Lowndes County, Miss.; Havelock/Morehead City, N.C.; Pontotoc County, Okla.; Covington, Tenn.; and Galveston County, Texas.
"These clinics are an example of VA putting health care resources closer to our veterans," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. "We can provide more care for more veterans."
These new facilities will add to more than 400 outpatient clinics established in the last four years. VA currently operates approximately 800 outpatient clinics throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
The need for community clinics is shown in part by their workload. Since 1995, outpatient visits have gone up by more than a third. In fiscal year 2000, there were 36 million outpatient visits, an increase of 9.9 million visits in five years.
Outpatient clinics improve continuity of care because they provide more convenient access and promote quicker attention to medical problems. They shorten hospital stays by helping patients before and after their admission by providing care closer to the patient’s home. Eliminating the need for veterans to travel long distances reduces VA reimbursement costs. Additionally, outpatient clinics shorten waiting times and increase overall customer satisfaction.
To enroll in VA health care, veterans can call 1-877-222-8387. VA encourages veterans to enroll before they need care. There are co-payments for higher-income veterans with no disability connected with their military service, but treatment is always provided at no cost to veterans needing care for their service-connected medical problems.
