DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center at Togus, which operates six primary health care clinics throughout the state, is looking to expand to other locations, including Dover-Foxcroft.

Veterans in Dover-Foxcroft, who have to travel to Bangor or to Augusta for their health care, are encouraging residents and veterans to attend a “town meeting” from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight, at the Chadbourne-Merrill American Legion Post at 78 Park St. in Dover-Foxcroft. Officials from Togus will discuss health care issues and will have counselors on hand to respond to any individual issues or needs.

Jim Simpson, Togus public affairs officer, said Thursday that the meeting is one of several being held around the state to provide information and to hear concerns and suggestions from veterans. Togus Director Jack Sims will be in attendance.

Simpson said there has been a lot of interest shown by members of American Legion posts in Piscataquis County about opening a local health care clinic. As Togus expands its clinics around the state, he said Dover-Foxcroft will be considered.

Togus operates clinics in Caribou, Calais, Machias, Bangor, Rumford and Saco.

“The effort is to try to improve accessibility of the medical services that we provide to veterans,” Simpson said.

Roland Finley, service officer for the Fifth American Legion District and his wife, Eunice, of Dover-Foxcroft, have promoted the meeting, urging residents to show Togus officials that the support is there for a local clinic.

“It’s a place to go opposed to the long ride to Togus,” Eunice Finley said Thursday.

Simpson said that even if a clinic were approved for Dover-Foxcroft, it will not happen overnight. He said approval is needed at several governmental levels.

The clinic, if approved, would be open part-time and would expand as the demand grew, according to Simpson. He said a significant number of veterans from Piscataquis County do currently travel to Togus for their health care. The clinic, he said, would provide primary health care and would not offer specialized care.

Simpson said there are two methods of operating a clinic. One would involve a VA- staffed facility operating from space provided by a local health care organization, and the other would involve contracting out the services.

In addition to the town meeting, Togus officials will offer veterans a basic health screening clinic from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, at the American Legion Post.

Flu shots and Hepatitis C screening will be offered, as well as other health screening.