VA approves plans to open clinic in Libby
If all goes according to plan, veterans in Lincoln County will have a new clinic to call their own by the end of the year. And when it opens, the nearly 3,800 veterans found in the county will no longer need to travel 100 miles or more for medical services for which they qualify.
“It’s definitely needed here,” said 60-year-old Libby resident Rick Napier, a veteran of the Vietnam War. “We have a lot of veterans who can’t travel.”
The Spokane Veterans Administration Medical Center will manage the outreach clinic – which will include primary care and mental health services.
“Overall, the flavor is very positive,” Ed Croucher, veterans’ service officer, said about reaction in Libby. “It has to be positive because it will work. If you look at what we’ve got, to have something here five days a week will serve many more veterans.”
Lincoln County is the lone county in Montana that falls under the VA’s regional hospital in Spokane. The rest of the state goes to Fort Harrison north of Helena. Some services for veterans are available in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
“Health care is something that these men and women have earned through service to our country,” Sen. Jon Tester said through a press release. “Honoring that commitment to our veterans should not depend on whether they live in a big city. You put your life on the line for our country, you deserve quality health care – no matter where you live.”
Tester serves as a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. The Libby outreach clinic will be the fourth opened in Montana since Tester joined the committee in 2007. The others are located in Lewistown, Cut Bank and Havre.
During discussion among veterans at public meetings, Croucher said reviews have been mixed with most positive but some do have concerns. In general, some veterans are hesitant to change doctors at this stage in their health care.
Chuck Marsden, executive assistant to the director for Spokane VA Medical Center, said bids from providers are due Aug. 3. After the bid period ends, the center’s contracting department will then evaluate the candidates, including on-site inspections.
Currently, Spokane sends a mobile clinic in the form of a van to Troy and Libby. Limited services are offered such as lab work in preparation for a visit to Spokane and simple medical procedures, including shots and surgery follow-ups.
Prior to 2002, the mobile clinic for several years was a bus that had even more limited capabilities. In recent years, unsuccessful efforts were made to contract for VA health care through private providers.
“It’s been a great service,” Croucher said about the van service. “But this will expand that accessibility so much more.”
Marsden said the outreach clinic will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Veterans requiring specialty care will still be routed through Spokane, Marsden said.
Tester recently introduced the Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act, a bill to improve mental health services for veterans, provide grants for programs that improve health care for rural veterans and lock in the current travel reimbursement for disabled veterans.
The bill cleared the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and at last word was awaiting a vote by the full Senate.