Veterans Could Soon Use Local Hospitals For Care
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Veterans Affairs hospitals have been battling long wait times and negligent care for the last two years.
While they are making big strides, there are other options on the table to help serve those veterans.
One of those is a network of community health care providers, letting veterans travel much shorter distances to local hospitals for care.
“Figuring out how you make that interface work. That’s a challenge because they’re different systems. Anytime you try to bring different systems together it creates an opportunity for challenges,” said Dr. Don Williamson, head of the Alabama Hospital Association.
Leaders at the VA met with Dr. Williamson, head of the state Hospital Association, as well as other private healthcare leaders.
This is the first time many of these people were in the same room together, along with Congresswoman Martha Roby.
“They got to look the VA in the eye and explain, let me tell you about this case. Let me tell you about this individual and to really hear the frustration coming out of these willing parties who want to help and serve our veteran community,” said Rep. Roby.
The concept is still in its infancy, but it could be a big help for the VA hospitals in Montgomery and Tuskegee.
Robin Jackson was recently the interim director in central alabama, and says the meeting was very encouraging.
“This allows us to actually hear and understand these challenges that exist and work on ways to tear down these barriers. Really the goal for the VA as well as for our partners is providing that care to veterans in a timely manner. This forum was excellent. I’m really looking forward to the next opportunity,” said Jackson.
