With the Veterans Administration’s outpatient medical clinic in Emporia set to close its doors, area veterans had a chance to learn of future medical options during a special town hall meeting Saturday morning.
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, along with the VA’s Eastern Kansas Health Care System Director Dr. Rudy Klopfer and his team helped to lead the morning’s dialogue. The majority of the town hall centred on informing veterans on medical service options that will be made available through the VA’s community care program under the VA Mission Act of 2018.
The purpose of the Mission Act is to bring about a variety of improvements to community care for local veterans. One way it does this is through the establishment of a Community Care Network (CCN) made up of local medical providers.
Klopfer feels there is a misconception that the closing of the Emporia VA clinic means services will be disappearing entirely. He believes the closure of the clinic, which was only operating two days a week, and the implementation of community care will actually be more beneficial for veterans and taxpayers alike.
Klopfer adds all veterans have the option of choosing where they would like to receive their care. He says about 30 percent of the veterans they have spoken with expressed a desire to continue receiving primary care within the VA Healthcare system while 55 percent have said they would like to go elsewhere.
Senator Moran says the VA’s new community care approach and the inclusion of local providers will strengthen the community as a whole.
An additional benefit of the community care program is the implementation of a new urgent care benefit. This will allow veterans to utilize any urgent care or walk-in provider in the VA’s network without prior authorization from the VA.
Throughout the town hall residents in attendance had the opportunity to ask questions, seek clarification and even air some grievances they have with current VA services. American Legion Post #5 Commander Dennis Paul says overall he was very satisfied with the quantity and quality of conversation.
Current plans are to close the Emporia VA facility sometime in June. The new community care program will begin once the VA publishes its final regulations which is expected around June 6.
Eligibility for community care is based on six eligibility criteria. For the full list of those criteria and further information on Veteran Community Care and the VA Mission Act click here.
