Force Generating Reserve MARS Officers: Keeping the 'One ...
Reserve Officers Association Support Letter
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ONE CONSTITUTION AVENUE, NE WASHINGTON, DC 20002 LOCAL: 202.479.2200 TOLL-FREE: 800.809.9448 FAX: 202.547.1641 _______________________________________________________________________________ RESERVE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY • MARINE CORPS • NAVY • AIR FORCE • COAST GUARD • NOAA • USPHS “Serving Those Who Serve” June 24, 2014 The Honorable Kyrsten Sinema The Honorable Matt Salmon United States House of Representatives United States House of Representatives 1237 Longworth House Office Building 2349 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-0309 Washington, DC 20515-0305 Dear Representatives Sinema and Salmon: Men and women from geographically rural areas comprised about one-third of the enrolled Veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF). Upon their discharge from active duty, many of these service members are returning to their rural communities. These veterans too often cannot find a way to travel to see a doctor or other health care providers at traditional “brick and mortar” Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care locations. The Congressional Research Service reports that “despite their greater need, rural veterans are less likely than urban veterans to use VA or private sector health care services.” The disparity in use of health care may be due in part to longer driving distances to VA medical facilities experienced by many rural veterans, relative to their urban counterparts. Of the approximately 7.6 million veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system about 41 percent live in rural areas. Many of these rural veterans are also Reservists and National Guardsmen who cannot use their earned benefit as they are not located near or associated with a military base, and also often are not near VA facilities or doctors. The Reserve Officers Association supports H.R. 4898, “the Veteran-Centered Community Care Act.” The bill directs the VA to utilize existing contracts to provide access to care from non-VA health care providers to veterans who cannot schedule an appointment within 14 days. A current contract, Patient- Centered Community Care (PC3) could provide a network of primary care health care providers that are located closer to the rural population. The VA can augment its capabilities and improve access by utilizing contracted community providers. This will strengthen the VA system and improve the quality of care available to veterans. Technologies currently exist that permits the VA to continue to provide managed care. Thank you for your support for those who have served in uniform. If you have any further questions about ROA’s position or any other issues, please contact ROA’s legislative director, CAPT Marshall Hanson, USNR (ret.) at (202) 646-7713, or email him at [email protected]. Sincerely, Andrew B. Davis, Major General, USMC (Ret) Reserve Officers Association National Executive Director
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Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema
Transcript of Reserve Officers Association Support Letter
ONE CONSTITUTION AVENUE, NE WASHINGTON, DC 20002
LOCAL: 202.479.2200 TOLL-FREE: 800.809.9448
FAX: 202.547.1641
_______________________________________________________________________________
RESERVE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES
ARMY • MARINE CORPS • NAVY • AIR FORCE • COAST GUARD • NOAA • USPHS
“Serving Those Who Serve”
June 24, 2014
The Honorable Kyrsten Sinema The Honorable Matt Salmon
United States House of Representatives United States House of Representatives
1237 Longworth House Office Building 2349 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-0309 Washington, DC 20515-0305
Dear Representatives Sinema and Salmon:
Men and women from geographically rural areas comprised about one-third of the enrolled Veterans who
served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF). Upon their discharge
from active duty, many of these service members are returning to their rural communities. These veterans
too often cannot find a way to travel to see a doctor or other health care providers at traditional “brick and
mortar” Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care locations.
The Congressional Research Service reports that “despite their greater need, rural veterans are less likely
than urban veterans to use VA or private sector health care services.” The disparity in use of health care
may be due in part to longer driving distances to VA medical facilities experienced by many rural
veterans, relative to their urban counterparts.
Of the approximately 7.6 million veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care
system about 41 percent live in rural areas. Many of these rural veterans are also Reservists and National
Guardsmen who cannot use their earned benefit as they are not located near or associated with a military
base, and also often are not near VA facilities or doctors.
The Reserve Officers Association supports H.R. 4898, “the Veteran-Centered Community Care Act.”
The bill directs the VA to utilize existing contracts to provide access to care from non-VA health care
providers to veterans who cannot schedule an appointment within 14 days. A current contract, Patient-
Centered Community Care (PC3) could provide a network of primary care health care providers that are
located closer to the rural population.
The VA can augment its capabilities and improve access by utilizing contracted community providers.
This will strengthen the VA system and improve the quality of care available to veterans. Technologies
currently exist that permits the VA to continue to provide managed care.
Thank you for your support for those who have served in uniform. If you have any further questions
about ROA’s position or any other issues, please contact ROA’s legislative director, CAPT Marshall
Hanson, USNR (ret.) at (202) 646-7713, or email him at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Andrew B. Davis, Major General, USMC (Ret)
Reserve Officers Association
National Executive Director
