June 15, 2008
Cabinet Secretary for Veterans Affairs James Peake and Senator Ted Stevens with the Quinhagak Family Support Group: L–R: Joshua Cleveland, Secretary James Peak, Emily Cleveland, Elizabeth Atseriak, Grace Mark, Kaitlin Henry (child), Tina Henry, Paula Tikiun, Raeann Tikiun (Child), Anastasia Jones, Sen. Stevens.
Delta welcomes Stevens
Senator Ted Stevens and Veterans Affairs Cabinet Secretary announce reimbursement pilot program for YKHC and YK Delta veterans
by Bob Herron, YKHC Public Relations Staff
Over the Memorial Day weekend, Senator Ted Stevens and United States Cabinet Secretary for Veterans Affairs James Peake flew to Bethel and Quinhagak aboard military aircraft to visit with veterans and their families.
The two national leaders were accompanied by a 12-person entourage, which included Aaron Saunders and Mark Robbins, staff to Senator Stevens; Hal Blair, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Dennis M. (Max) Lewis, Director, Seattle office, Department of Veterans Affairs; Alexander Spector, Director, VA Alaska Health Care System; Mr. Loren Miller, Acting Director, VA Regional Office, Anchorage; and Secret Service personnel. Also, Anchorage KTVA-Channel 11 and the Anchorage Daily News each sent a two-person crew to chronicle the trip.
The group met in Bethel Sunday morning with YKHC leadership in the CHSB Board Room and with veterans at the Bethel VFW Post #10041. In the afternoon, they took a Blackhawk helicopter to the Quinhagak health clinic and Kuinerrarmiut Elitnaurviat School.
YKHC Administration members Dan Winkelman, Vice President for Administration/General Counsel; Dr. Joe Klejka, Corporate Medical Director; and Greg McIntyre, Vice President of Support Services, described the need for an electronic billing system and a reimbursement rate so that YKHC can provide services to veterans living in the region. Leading the presentation, Winkelman highlighted, "We have the VA Secretary here and we have our ‘great appropriator' here as well, so this is why we're bringing up this important matter of access to services for our veterans."
Before the presentation had even concluded, it was evident Senator Stevens supported the concept. "YKHC is the leading Tribal health care delivery system in Alaska and I want you and your staff to create a pilot program that will establish a reimbursement rate and delivery system for veterans needing VA services in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region."
Stevens added, "This will be the model for all other health care delivery systems to help our veterans, who live outside of our Alaska road system, who need and deserve VA medical services."
During the lunch hosted at the Robert V. Lindsey VFW Post Home, Stevens and Peake talked and listened to VFW and American Legion veterans, Ladies' Auxiliary members, and their respective families. They answered questions from the news media and veterans alike during a live news conference where the Senator reiterated his desire that the VA develop a reimbursement rate and system for rural Alaskan veterans in cooperation with YKHC.
After a 35-minute flight to Quinhagak, Army National Guard Captain Michele Edwards landed the Blackhawk helicopter next to the Quinhagak School where several village residents, including Fannie Hernandez and Wassilie Bavilla, offered rides to all the visitors in their private vehicles to the health clinic. Upon arrival, inside the crowded clinic, seven veterans who recently returned from overseas duty, as well as older Alaska National Guard and Territorial Guard members, greeted Senator Stevens and Secretary Peake.
Both men thanked the Quinhagak veterans for their service to their country and presented them with commemorative VA Secretary coins.
After clinic staff gave the Senator an ear exam utilizing the AFHCAN telemedicine cart, the group moved to the school gymnasium to accommodate all the people who came out to see the Senator and his guests. More than 100 village residents, from the youngest to the oldest, had opportunities to shake hands and have their pictures taken with the distinguished guests.
After a quick 20-minute return flight to Bethel, aided by a strong tail wind, Ted Stevens boarded an Alaska Army National Guard C-23 Sherpa aircraft and returned to Anchorage in the late afternoon.
