This is a request directed to all veterans, regardless of time in service or rank, to help your fellow comrades in need of health care by reducing the wait time for VA medical services.
The Veterans Administration assigns doctors to their Contract Based Outpatient Clinics, or CBOC, according to the number of veterans being served. The Southwest Colorado Clinic is about 400 veterans short of having a second doctor assigned. The clinic, at 1979 East Third Ave., in Durango (247-2214), has one doctor, Luke Casias. We are extremely fortunate to have a doctor not only of his caliber, but also with his concern for veterans such that he also gives generously of his personal time to assist veterans in other ways. He is frustrated knowing that the clinic could significantly cut down on wait times for 2,000 patients and respond quicker to other situations if only a few hundred more veterans would enroll for VA health care. We know the number of veterans needed are here!
The Durango clinic also serves veterans from New Mexico who choose to be treated by this clinic. I, like most veterans, secured employment after service that provides a health care plan that also carries over into retirement and never considered the VA. I believed others needed it more than I and did not apply. This may have been true before the CBOC concept was initiated, but it is no longer true. Actually, the opposite is.
Not signing up immediately after leaving the service is a detriment to those vets who need this care. Enrolling merely means you are eligible. You do not need to use the VA health care. At worst, should the unexpected happen, you know you have this coverage. This “backup” would also lessen the burden on your family.
The reason for enrolling in the program is that it helps the VA determine how many doctors (called providers) are needed to treat the population of veterans in the area. The only way the VA can determine how many veterans live in the area assigned to a particular clinic is to search their records for the number of veterans regionally signed up for certain VA programs.
Please, no matter what your health care circumstance, no matter what your rank, enroll in the VA system. You will be helping your fellow veterans in dire need of access to our local clinic. This will significantly reduce the wait time for appointments and other services delivered by your local clinic. If you write to me or visit the VFW Post 4031, 1550 Main Ave., Durango, Co 81301, and provide your address, I will send you the form to fill out with a stamped return envelope so you can apply. Please pass this on.
The process will be: 1. Send your name and address to me. 2. I will send you the application with a self addressed and stamped envelope. 3. You fill out the application and include your DD-214 or other evidence of service. 4. You will mail the two pieces of information using the envelope provided. No intermediary is involved, protecting confidentiality. No financial information is required other than what is on file with the IRS tax information used. The VA will respond with a letter assigning a priority classification from one to nine with an explanation of what you are eligible for. If you need a copy of your service record, I can help you with that.
Fred Riedinger is a District 12 VFW service officer and a former La Plata County VA Veteran Service Officer.
