February 15, 2009
YKHC and VA collaborate to help rural veterans
YKHC and the Alaska Veterans Administration (VA) Healthcare System have partnered together to help rural veterans gain better access to their healthcare benefits.
The VA created a part-time, temporary position that will help recent and long-term veterans understand what benefits are available to them and how to access those benefits. The Rural Veteran Liaison position will be based at YKHC in Bethel and will offer Benefit Education Services, as well as act as a Consumer Advocate Liaison.
The Rural Veteran Liaison will serve the approximately 2,500 veterans who live in Western Alaska.
"Currently, the closest facility for veterans to receive healthcare, or to get help with their benefits, is in Anchorage," said Jack Robert Crow, Vice President of Health Services for YKHC. "YKHC and all of the veterans in our region are very fortunate to have this happen. Our goal is to help veterans have increased access to vital healthcare services with as little inconvenience as possible."
Alex Spector, Director of the Alaska VA Healthcare System, said, "The VA values the close working relationship with YKHC and the opportunity to honor veterans by enhancing services closer to where veterans live. Having a VA employee in the community who is knowledgeable about VA benefits provides a pathway to VA care by assisting local veterans to access healthcare and non-healthcare benefits."
