Max
01-05-2003, 10:53 AM
VA plans for future health-care needs of veterans
Veterans' Corner, a column to inform armed-forces veterans about services and benefits available to them, appears in The Indiana Gazette the first Sunday of each month.
The column is compiled by Ron Merritt, disabled veterans employment representative, and Brenda Stormer, director of veterans affairs for Indiana County.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is transforming its health-care system to continue to bring health care for veterans into the 21st century.
Through Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services, the VA is realigning and enhancing its health-care system to meet veterans' needs effectively and efficiently, now and in the future.
Here are some answers to questions veterans may have about the changes:
Why is CARES necessary?
Much of the VA's medical structure was built decades ago when the focus was inpatient care. The VA has been shifting from a hospital-based system, and today, more than 80 percent of the treatment the VA provides is outpatient care.
The VA needed a new way to address the projected changes in the veteran population - where veterans will be living, their medical needs and their declining numbers over the next 20 years.
The VA must be prepared also to treat younger veterans who may need care for illnesses from their service in more recent deployments and to fulfill the VA's role in HOMELAND SECURITY.
In addition, the VA needs to determine if other uses can be found for outmoded buildings that are not suitable for delivering modern health care.
How does CARES work?
The VA's medical system - the largest in the country, with more than 1,300 sites of care - is divided into 21 regional networks.
A pilot CARES study was first conducted in Network 12, which covers Chicago, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The VA is now conducting CARES in the remaining 20 networks.
Data are being gathered on veteran population projections and their projected health-care needs, as well as information on the locations of and access to VA facilities, their sizes and the services they currently offer.
The projected date on demand for VA care will then be compared with the facility information, and each network will develop a market plan that will provide a blueprint for matching VA facilities and services with veterans' future health-care needs.
Throughout that process, veterans, academic affiliates, employees and others interested in CARES will be kept informed and their input sought and considered. Once are completed, a draft national CARES plan will be published for public comment and evaluated by an independent CARES commission appointed by the secretary of veteran affairs.
As part of its review, the CARES commission will conduct site visits, hold public hearings for stakeholders and solicit their input. After that process, the commission will forward its recommendations to the secretary, who will make his decision on the national CARES plan in late 2003.
How will veterans benefit?
The comprehensive analysis and restructuring of VA health care will change only the way the VA delivers care; services will not be reduced. The goal of CARES is to enhance outpatient and inpatient care, as well as special programs, such as spinal-cord injury and blind rehabilitation, and long-term care.
Once CARES is completed, the VA will have a national plan for directing resources where they are most needed, preserving the VA's missions and special services, and continuing to provide high-quality care to more veterans in more locations.
If you have any questions, please call Brenda Stormer at (724) 465-3815 or Ron Merritt at (724) 471-7234.
©Indiana Printing & Publishing Co. 2003
Veterans' Corner, a column to inform armed-forces veterans about services and benefits available to them, appears in The Indiana Gazette the first Sunday of each month.
The column is compiled by Ron Merritt, disabled veterans employment representative, and Brenda Stormer, director of veterans affairs for Indiana County.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is transforming its health-care system to continue to bring health care for veterans into the 21st century.
Through Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services, the VA is realigning and enhancing its health-care system to meet veterans' needs effectively and efficiently, now and in the future.
Here are some answers to questions veterans may have about the changes:
Why is CARES necessary?
Much of the VA's medical structure was built decades ago when the focus was inpatient care. The VA has been shifting from a hospital-based system, and today, more than 80 percent of the treatment the VA provides is outpatient care.
The VA needed a new way to address the projected changes in the veteran population - where veterans will be living, their medical needs and their declining numbers over the next 20 years.
The VA must be prepared also to treat younger veterans who may need care for illnesses from their service in more recent deployments and to fulfill the VA's role in HOMELAND SECURITY.
In addition, the VA needs to determine if other uses can be found for outmoded buildings that are not suitable for delivering modern health care.
How does CARES work?
The VA's medical system - the largest in the country, with more than 1,300 sites of care - is divided into 21 regional networks.
A pilot CARES study was first conducted in Network 12, which covers Chicago, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The VA is now conducting CARES in the remaining 20 networks.
Data are being gathered on veteran population projections and their projected health-care needs, as well as information on the locations of and access to VA facilities, their sizes and the services they currently offer.
The projected date on demand for VA care will then be compared with the facility information, and each network will develop a market plan that will provide a blueprint for matching VA facilities and services with veterans' future health-care needs.
Throughout that process, veterans, academic affiliates, employees and others interested in CARES will be kept informed and their input sought and considered. Once are completed, a draft national CARES plan will be published for public comment and evaluated by an independent CARES commission appointed by the secretary of veteran affairs.
As part of its review, the CARES commission will conduct site visits, hold public hearings for stakeholders and solicit their input. After that process, the commission will forward its recommendations to the secretary, who will make his decision on the national CARES plan in late 2003.
How will veterans benefit?
The comprehensive analysis and restructuring of VA health care will change only the way the VA delivers care; services will not be reduced. The goal of CARES is to enhance outpatient and inpatient care, as well as special programs, such as spinal-cord injury and blind rehabilitation, and long-term care.
Once CARES is completed, the VA will have a national plan for directing resources where they are most needed, preserving the VA's missions and special services, and continuing to provide high-quality care to more veterans in more locations.
If you have any questions, please call Brenda Stormer at (724) 465-3815 or Ron Merritt at (724) 471-7234.
©Indiana Printing & Publishing Co. 2003