Wiregrass Region Expansion

VA Plans to Expand Services in Wiregrass Region

MONTGOMERY, AL (August 22, 2007) – In direct response to Wiregrass Region veteran community concerns, Central Alabama Veterans Affairs System (CAVHCS) will open a new contract to operate the existing Community Based Clinic in Dothan, Ala. to prospective contract providers, while simultaneously entering into an agreement with Lyster Army Health Clinic to begin the operation of a VA primary care clinic on Fort Rucker, Ala. around the New Year.

“This simultaneous maintenance and expansion of services to veterans in the Wiregrass Region is a direct result of a concerted effort to identify and resolve veteran needs, while remaining responsible stewards of our nation’s resources,” said CAVHCS Director, Robert Ratliff.  “The level of teamwork, expertise, communication and dogged willingness to overcome obstacles necessary to realize this expansion of services - are a direct reflection of the ‘can do’ spirit that has served this nation so well.” 

The result of today’s announcement means that many of the veterans in the Wiregrass Region will soon no longer have to drive to CAVHCS’ Medical Centers in Montgomery, Ala. or Tuskegee, Ala. for primary services like X-ray, laboratory work, ophthalmology consultations or pharmacy support.  “One of the goals we identified during the meetings and town halls conducted with Wiregrass Region stakeholders leading up to today, was getting veterans off the road,” explained Ratliff of the 125 to 200 mile roundtrip veterans were previously required to make.  “We are going to ultimately provide those basic services where veterans live instead of asking them to drive so far.”

Leading up to this agreement CAVHCS researched potential area locations and opportunities.  However, at the end of the day, the best fit was the agreement with Lyster Army Clinic.  “With the changing of the mission at what was once Lyster Army Hospital – Lyster Army Health Clinic had medical spaces that were already Joint Commission certifiable,” said Ratliff.  “Everywhere else we looked required costly new construction.  Plus, when you factor in the opportunities for joint utilization and the economies of scale those opportunities represent, well…all roads lead to Fort Rucker.

“That said; nothing could have been accomplished if it weren’t for the foresight and willingness of Army leadership like Col. Michael Kaminski the Commanding Officer at Lyster Army Health Clinic,” Ratliff quickly added.  “He and I, as well as our respective staffs, were able to identify and overcome obstacles that normally might have prevented us from being able to realize what I consider to be the true definition of a win-win situation.”

“Establishing the VA Outpatient Clinic here at Lyster is a major step forward in the right direction,” said, Col. Kaminski.  “It will clearly maximize existing infrastructure and create a framework for Soldiers transitioning from the Military Health Care System to the Veterans Health Care System.  The central location of Fort Rucker will benefit a significant number of underserved Wiregrass veterans.  In addition, further collaboration can lead to only further expansion of services to our Soldiers and Veterans.”

An additional driving factor for the expansion of service in the Wiregrass Region was the fact that the veteran population had outgrown the current Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Dothan, Ala.  However, operation of the Dothan CBOC will continue as normal until the new contract is awarded.  “The new contract to operate an outpatient will be open to all bidders, and it will continue to serve the Dothan community,” explained Ratliff.  “No matter which company is awarded the new contract, support will continue seamlessly.”

Once the VA Clinic at Lyster Army Health Clinic becomes operational new Wiregrass Region veteran enrollees will be directed to enroll there, while current enrollees from throughout the entire region will have an opportunity to enroll at The VA Clinic at Lyster Army Health Clinic as well. “The Wiregrass Region is growing and our expansion efforts are designed to keep up with the veteran population in the entire region,” said Ratliff.  “We feel that when veterans see that they can get direct support right here in the region, they’ll vote with their feet.  More of them will eventually want to receive their primary care at The VA Clinic at Lyster Army Health Clinic.”

If veterans do indeed vote with their feet and seek treatment at The VA Clinic at Lyster Army Clinic, the DoD/VA team aboard Fort Rucker will be ready. “The 2003 Defense Authorization Act required that DoD and VA establish a Joint Incentives Program, which in turn created a DoD-VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund,” explained Kaminski.  “The intent of the program was to identify, fund and evaluate creative local, regional and national sharing incentives.  We have a $2.9 million renovation currently under consideration, which will result in expanded services to active duty soldiers and our veterans.”

“But we’re not going to stop there,” added Ratliff.  “We’re going to keep finding common ground where we can realize mutual benefits.  For us at the VA it’s about providing services closer to where our veterans live.  These are clearly decisions where everybody wins.”