One issue facing rural veterans is the need for more VA satellite clinics that spare them the time and expense (partially reimbursed) of traveling to the medical center in Minneapolis. While most vets advocates see a need for the hospitals because of the special care needs of vets, decentralizing some of the services makes sense.
Mankato has just gotten a VA clinic, one that will at first offer mental health care. KEYC-TV reports:
Vietnam and Desert Storm Veteran Warren Taylor says, ''Veterans can talk to other Veterans, but they're not gonna talk to anybody else about these things, so that's why we need this.''
Vietnam Veteran Owen Painter says, ''This mental awareness is something that we really need for these guys coming back now. We probably needed it for us, there are a lot of younger guys, the ones coming back now, and it's hard for older people to accept the adjustments they got now.''
Adjustments made as troops return from war and readjust to society...With a new clinic in town that hopes to positively combat feelings of post-war alienation.Mary Olson, Minneapolis VA Mental Health Services Chief Nurse says, ''Absolutely a positive thing. The goal is to make mental health services very easy and accessible for people.'
Congressman Walz, who sits on the House Veterans Affairs committee, was at the opening on Monday:
Tim Walz says, ''There was always a desire to have it done, the Veterans knew there was a need for it, but it was very hard to mesh up the public will, the political will, and the funding that was needed to get it, so this is a testament that people stuck with it.''...A testament that will bring some much-needed peace of mind to local Veterans...
. . .Walz says, ''It's a good thing. This should serve both our older Veterans and our returning Veterans as well.''
There's video at the link.
The Mankato Free Press reported on the logic of opening a clinic in the Key City:
“There is an increased demand for services and Mankato is centrally located,” said Ralph Heussner, public affairs officer with the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.
Demand on the VA overall is driven by two factors, he said. “The Vietnam era veteran is approaching 60, retiring and qualifying for the VA benefits. And the Iraq veterans are returning home and seeking care.”
There's already a VA community clinic in St. James and Rochester in the First. The Mankato Free Press praised the opening in Our View — New Vets clinic a welcome addition:
Getting veterans the assistance and care they need is a country’s obligation to its armed forces.
So it’s positive news that today a veterans clinic is opening in Mankato. At first the Veterans Affairs clinic in the Nichols Office building will see patients only for mental health care, but services eventually will be expanded to full primary medical care.
That’s good news for area veterans and their communities. As Vietnam vets age and more vets return home from Iraq and Afghanistan, medical services need to be available where they live — not a two-hour car ride away.
Vets still will need to travel to the VA in Minneapolis for specialized care, but the goal is to have medical facilities for vets within one hour’s drive of them.
Not only is the plan more cost-effective, but it is a sign the VA recognizes it needs to step up the care of veterans. A Washington Post article in 2007 received national attention when unsafe and unsanitary conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center were described in detail. Since then, veterans groups have sued the VA alleging its mental health care and benefits system are flawed.
There have been incidents in Minnesota, and in this region, involving vets suffering from stress disorders that have resulted in erratic behavior, including standoffs with authorities. A CBS probe that examined death records in all 50 states found that veterans were twice as likely to commit suicide. . . .
. . . This new clinic in Mankato is a sign the system recognizes that offering vets care close to home can be part of the healing process, and giving vets convenient care is the least the government can do.
Image: The Nichols Building, home to the new VA clinic in Mankato. Directions here.
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