Article and photos by Mary Alice Murphy
On Thursday, March 12, veterans gathered at the American Legion Post 18 building to learn about the Veterans' Choice Card.
Veterans learn about Choice Card
Veterans Learn about Choice Card
Larry, at left, and Sharon Boushon, right, talk to Jennifer Six, center, about the Choice Card.
Veterans Learn about Choice Card
American Legion members, Gil Choquette and John Sterle, talk about membership.
Veterans Learn about Choice Card
Jim Zawacki of the VFW chats with Joe Martinez from Congressman Pearce's office.
Veterans Learn about Choice Card
Veterans learn about the history of the Choice Card from Martinez.
Jennifer Six, Veterans Administration Silver City primary care clinic manager, joined with Joe Paiz of the VA Hospital's eligibility department in Albuquerque, to meet one-on-one with veterans to determine how the Choice Card could benefit them and their situations.
Joe Martinez of Congressman Steve Pearce's office was on hand to give an overview of the card and how it came about.
"The card is supposed to help those veterans who live more than 40 miles from a large VA facility or a community-based outpatient clinic as you have here in Silver City," Martinez said. 'The veteran, with the card, is allowed to call in and get permission to use the card in a local facility."
He said Pearce had received many questions from those who did not understand how to use the card, so "that's why this session today. This is not a townhall, but just an informational gathering."
"When Pearce first got into office 12 years ago, he started getting complaints from veterans about the extreme travel required to get health care and not being able to get services closer to home," Martinez said. "Pearce sponsored a bill that everyone seemed to think was a great idea, but it was put on the shelf.
"Last year with the problems at the Phoenix VA facilty, Pearce and Congressman Jeff Miller of Florida co-sponsored the bill," Martinez continued. "It passed both houses, and the president signed it. What came of the bill is the Veterans' Choice Card. Yes, you have to carry this card and all the other ones."
Because there has to be some control over use of the card, not everyone may be able to use it.
"The first criterion is the distance; the second is if you call for an appointment, and it will be longer than 30 days until you can see the doctor, you are eligible to use the Choice Card. You do have to call and get permission, and an appointment you want to make locally has to be with an individual or facility willing to participate in the program."
He said because the program is new, everyone is learning it, so it is slow to grow.
"We compiled a list of questions and sent them to the VA," Martinez said. "From that set of questions, the VA agreed to put on these sessions in different areas. This is to give you the names and numbers of people whom you can call. If you still have questions, I have a conduit to those who have the answers."
Several of those in attendance had questions or comments. The first said the Silver City CBOC got together with the Tuscon VA Hospital to allow him, with standing orders, to get a full blood draw each month at Gila Regional Medical Center instead of having to go to Tucson just to get blood drawn.
Martinez said once the program is out of its test phase in six months, it will begin to work at its full potential. "Veterans have always had the opportunity for fee-based care, but the Choice Card is supposed to make it easier."
Bradley Brock, NM Department of Veterans' Services veterans' services officer, said part of the problem for veterans is that there is no longer a shuttle service to Albuquerque or other VA hospitals. "Once the DAV van had to deliver someone to El Paso, but because the van could only operate within the state of New Mexico, the veteran had to be dropped at the state line, until a van from El Paso could pick him up. "
Six noted that for several years, local veterans have been able to schedule colonoscopies locally.
VFW commander Jim Zawacki said the van and lack of transportatin is a serious issue. "Southwest New Mexico needs to know how people are going to be handled to get to El Paso or Albuquerque. For at least a couple of years, the van has not been in existence. The van belonged to the VA and they took it back. No van, no service, no volunteer drivers. We need to think of an opportunity to get a van."
Martinez said it might be possible to get a van doanted. "We need to look at how other similar programs work."
The reason the Choice Card was developed, Martinez said: "It is Congressman Pearce's thing that the VA is spending more on travel reimbursements than on health services."