Togus spokesman responds to editorial

I would like to address certain statements in the June 4 Bangor Daily News editorial regarding the Togus VA health care system.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has identified rural health care for veterans as a top priority. In addition to the main Togus hospital, Togus VA health care system has five community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC) located in Bangor, Calais, Caribou, Rumford and Saco. In addition, there is a part-time satellite clinic in Fort Kent and a mental health clinic in Portland.

As stated in the editorial, the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) Commission recommended establishing five new part-time telemedicine facilities in Dover-Foxcroft, Farmington, Houlton, Lincoln and South Paris. The overall implementation plan calls for completing all aspects of the CARES Commission decision during the period fiscal years 2005-2012.

Togus VA Medical Center staff are actively reviewing all requirements, prioritizing and planning for implementation which should occur at some locations within the next year with others to follow relatively soon thereafter. The 2012 date is more closely linked to other provisions of the CARES decision which will likely require major construction.

The backlog numbers and wait times for a primary care provider are inaccurate and are indicative of the situation a year ago. Except for the Bangor CBOC, all veterans at Togus and the other four CBOCs have initial primary care appointments within 30 days (service-connected disabilities and those rated 50 percent or greater). Those with lesser ratings receive initial appointments within 90 days and we are working diligently to reduce that further. Once they are assigned a primary care provider, veterans receive appointments as necessary, often the same or next day.

Bangor is the only Maine VA facility with a wait list for primary care (approximately 280 with more than 5,600 veterans currently served by the Bangor CBOC). With the recent expansion of that clinic to 10,000 square feet, there is now additional space for a new physician who has been hired which will further reduce the wait list. Of note, those Bangor-area veterans on the wait list have been offered the opportunity to receive their primary care at Togus in the meantime and will be immediately transferred to Bangor as the backlog is eliminated.

Unfortunately, despite aggressive recruiting and retention processes, there is a backlog in certain specialty areas. In addition to referring them to Boston-area VA medical centers, Togus has been directing veterans to local medical facilities when appropriate and cost-effective.

This response will hopefully ensure veterans have accurate information so they can make informed decisions regarding their health care.

Jim Doherty is spokesman at the Togus VA Medical Center.