the Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Friday, March 31, 2006 6:00 pm
Veterans living in rural Nebraska could receive primary health care services in their local areas under a pilot program of the Department of Veterans Affairs modeled after a 2003 bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Osborne.
Osborne, Nebraska’s 3rd District congressman, testified this week before the House Veterans Affairs Committee in support of the VA’s Project Hero plan.
“In rural areas like Nebraska’s 3rd District, many veterans live hundreds of miles from the nearest VA medical facility,” Osborne said.
“But in many cases, they have no choice but to travel these distances for routine care.”
Under the Project Hero program, Osborne said Thursday, veterans could go to their local hospital and be reimbursed for the care.
“This would allow veterans to get their primary health care at a local facility,” Osborne explained. “A veteran in O’Neill could get his blood pressure checked or medication adjusted instead of going to Grand Island for the care.”
Many veterans who are dependent on VA health care go without preventive care because of the difficulty in traveling long distances, Osborne said.
Project Hero implements many of the same goals in the legislation he sponsored three years ago, said the congressman.