Newman Regional Health welcomed US Senator Jerry Moran and recently confirmed Veterans Administration Secretary Denis McDonough Friday morning.
The visit comes as the VA is continuing to adjust its approach to medical care, especially when it comes to access for veterans in rural communities. Moran and McDonough, along with Congressman Tracy Mann and VA Eastern Kansas Healthcare System Director Rudy Klopfer, took a tour of the facility before speaking with the local media.
Secretary McDonough says one of the things that stood out to him was Newman’s longstanding presence within the local community.
Emporia’s outpatient clinic closed two years ago as the VA started its Community Care approach, which lets veterans go to non-VA providers if they qualify.
McDonough also took time to speak on the topic of mental health care for veterans. He says the federal government has opened the door for more support and grant opportunities for the VA to expand its work to address what he calls a “terrifying epidemic” within the veteran community.
Other topics of conversation included the announcement that American Legion Post 5 will soon be serving as an Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations, or ATLAS, pod. McDonough says the implementation of ATLAS pods demonstrates the “explosion” of telemedicine that has become a more common option for accessing medical services across the country over the past year.
Senator Moran concluded the day’s event by encouraging all veterans to take advantage of COVID-19 vaccination availability as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Friday’s visit follows similar stops by Moran and McDonough at other medical facilities in Leavenworth and Topeka in recent days.
