Veterans encouraged to use available services, says Moran
Staff reporter
In an effort to assure all veterans in Marion County are being served, Congressman Jerry Moran hosted a veterans' forum Tuesday morning at VFW Post #6958, Marion.
Moran said many veterans do not understand the benefits that are available to them and are reluctant to become involved.
Congress has provided an additional 11 1/2 percent increase in funding for veterans' administration health care.
"This isn't sufficient but a step in the right direction," said Moran.
The numbers are increasing for retiring veterans who are using health care benefits which includes the VA prescription drug program.
Currently there are military personnel returning home from combat with injuries that would not have been survived in previous wars, adding more of a cost and responsibility burden to VA.
Two representatives from the Bob Dole Veterans' Administration in Wichita presented information and fielded questions from the 30+ in attendance.
Tom Sanders said during the past 10 years, VA has become a model system for health care.
"During the past four years, VA has seen an increase in services and in the number being served," said Sanders. More than 30,000 veterans are being served each year.
The VA is actively planning improvements. A new outpatient clinic at Hutchinson is in the works. It would be similar to five other outpatient clinics located in the state. Those clinics are in Liberal, Dodge City, Hays, Salina, and Parsons.
At the Wichita site, plans may include a new VA hospital.
Another concern is providing VA services to all veterans, regardless of income. Some veterans' income level is too high to receive all of the benefits.
Expanded drug benefit also is needed where more variety be made available.
The cost to care for veterans has tripled in the past 10 years and continues to climb.
Sanders also touched on the subject of a recent theft of information from a VA laptop computer.
"No cases of identify theft have been reported regarding the stolen information," he said. He suggested veterans call 1-800-FED-INFO (800-333-4636) if concerned.
Charlie Wolford also of the Wichita office said the VA takes a personal approach in taking care of seriously injured veterans.
"I've seen young men and women return home with a missing arm or leg or both and have young families," he said. "Many veterans are eager to return to active duty. You have to admire that."
VA used to be reactive in waiting to be contacted by veterans. Now veterans are contacted six months prior to their discharge.
"We can get claims started before they're discharged," Wolford said.
Marvin Rediger of Durham expressed his frustration with the VA about a prescription prescribed by his private physician for which the VA would not pay.
"I had to spend $1,200 of my money for the prescription," he said.
The medication was not on the VA list of medications, therefore did not pay it.
Sanders said a VA physician could appeal the VA to allow the VA to pay for the prescription. He added that the Wichita VA pays $25 million per year on prescription drugs.
Warren Kreutziger said some drugs can be substituted.
Terry Camp of Hillsboro suggested Medicare be billed by VA for services.
Moran said he has heard complaints about a waiting list for appointments with doctors.
Sanders said a VA standard for newly enrolled veterans is a maximum of 30 days before seeing a physician. Veterans previously seen by VA physicians usually have a waiting period of only a few days.
Telephone waiting also was a concern. Some veterans were put on hold for more than 45 minutes, Sanders said. Now their wait is within three minutes.
Privacy issues are a concern of Melvin Ruthloff of Florence. He said he could hear details of another patient as he was checking in at the VA facility, including the patient's Social Security number. He said those behind him could hear his personal information as well.
Sanders said privacy issues are consistent with the private sector as well.
Roger Price of Manhattan encouraged veterans to forget Part D offered by Medicare and enroll with VA.
Bill Meyer of Marion suggested veterans sign up with a service officer.
Wolford agreed that veterans should do that and added that service officers know the law.
George Webb of Kansas Veterans Association, said nursing homes have been opened in Winfield and Dodge City for veterans.
Ruthloff said there was a vacant nursing home facility in Florence available.
Moran said he was reluctant in creating more facilities when there is space available in Winfield.
Ruthloff responded that the Florence facility could be an assisted living facility for those not needing as much care.
Following the forum, Moran and the VA representatives answered individual questions from veterans and those in attendance.
