Gov. Sam Brownback announced Tuesday a federal-state collaboration officials say improves health care accessibility for Kansas veterans across the state.
With many veterans living in rural areas of the state that lack easy access to a U.S. Veterans Affairs hospital, obstacles have existed to their health care. But advancements in technology now make it possible for VA doctors to extend existing telemedical care to those patients in rural areas.
William Patterson, director of the VA’s Heartland Network, said the services will allow veterans to access VA health care from community hospitals and health clinics in their own community instead of having to drive to Topeka, Wichita or Leavenworth for care.
A veteran can go to a clinic in Garden City, sit in a telemedicine room and have a VA provider in Wichita come online, explained Ryan Spaulding, director of telemedicine for The University of Kansas Medical Center. Currently, only mental health services are provided through the telemedicine program, but officials said they intend to eventually expand into primary care provision.
The KU Center for Telemedicine and Health has provided telemedicine services for about 20 years, officials said. It operates more than 80 telemedicine and telehealth sites throughout the state.
Kansas Adjutant General Lee Tafanelli called the new extension of services a “tremendous resource” for veterans who couldn’t access the VA system because of commutes.
A pilot program in three locations lasted for five months in 2011 and assisted 18 veterans, said Robert McBee, VSN telehealth manager.
Telemedicine services are already in operation at The University of Kansas Medical Center’s Area Health Education Center in Garden City, and the other two pilot centers are working to complete contract negotiations. Officials said they hope to provide the services across the state within a year.
Brownback said the collaboration is the first of its kind in the country and was an example of federal-state cooperation that “works better and costs less.”
Brownback acknowledged the work of state Rep. Tom Sloan, a Lawrence Republican, to spearhead the effort by contacting the VA about developing a way to link telemedicine systems to better serve veterans.
Comments (10)
Add commentThis is not a new service.
But advancements in technology now make it possible for VA doctors to extend existing telemedical care to those patients in rural areas." The VA in Topeka has been doing this since at least 2004 as it existed before I retired from the VA in 2004. Even so this is great news for veterans who need mental health help. I hope the VA is doing telemedical groups for veterans who need help with PTSD. I now work in a mental health agency and see several veterans individually who have problems opening up. They tend to do much better when getting therapy in a small group with other veterans who can identify with their war experiences. And, for many veterans this care will cost them nothing. I admit I am excited for the veterans who suffer anxiety, flash anger outburst, nightmares, problems coping with people and re-occurring memories of their traumatic experiences.
pkin
".........veterans who suffer anxiety, flash anger outburst, nightmares, problems coping with people and re-occurring memories of their traumatic experiences."
How about with voters? I guess I got that PTSD from a recent Election. Especially the nightmares and problems associated with the idiots who caused it all!
leaps and bounds
Good Job, Brownback. Way to show us you care. Here.. **tears apart insurance card*
I totally trust you to bring healthiness and jobs to Kansas. Why wouldn't you?
Brownback
So according to Brownback, federally funded health care is a awful, terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad thing, except when it's a good thing? ??
Diverse Healthcare In KS
This same telemedicine system was proposed to Brownback for the Native Americans of Ks.. Good Ol' Non-Diverse Sam gave the Natives absolutely no consideration. Typical GOP diversity, non-existent.
You all just can't be happy
You will ALWAYS find something to moan about, or have a sarcastic comment when it comes to Gov Brownback. He does something good and you still whine and complain.The hate that lives inside you is very intense. I sure hope you don't have any children, the negativity will take years of counseling.
I'm glad that the veterans in small rural areas can now be seen easier. Slow and steady wins the race!!!
It's disdain
And I agree, it is negativity. But, come on, you're really going to pull a "JEEZ, why you always so NEGATIVE? Be HAPPY!!" without a hint of irony? I take it the far right has been spending the last 4 years doing what?? Giving Barack Obama a lot of good, productive constructive criticism?
I think we're mad because Sam Brownback only seems to do anything productive for us after he's painted himself into a corner first. Then he walks across the living room carpet with his shoes in wet paint and hands a wet-nap and tells us to clean it up ourselves.
**runs through metaphor checking computer.....returns a cyclic redundancy error**
Arggg you stupid piece of [inaudible] china made garbage!!!!!!!!!!
Panama79
"How about with voters? I guess I got that PTSD from a recent Election. Especially the nightmares and problems associated with the idiots who caused it all". I understand completely. I feel that way every time I read another article about Brownback taking away another part of the safety net.
This is nothing new,
just another photo op. for Vets. Day. Stay Classy Brokeback.
Makes since
I live in a rural area in Northern Minnesota so I use the VA telemed for my diabetes. I drive 1 hour to Bemidji, MN instead of 2 hours to Fargo, ND.. I like it.