HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_8_15 LHamlin-LeMaster Veteran Healthcare_ResponseFrom:Glenn Gilbert
To:Lynn
Cc:Board of Health
Subject:RE: Veteran Healthcare in Jefferson County
Date:Monday, August 16, 2021 9:49:22 AM
Good morning Lynn,
We received your message over the weekend. It has been brought to the attention of the Board, and will be added toour Public Comments for the next Board meeting on August 19, 2021.
Glenn GilbertGender Pronouns: He/Him/HisPublic Health Assistant
Jefferson County Public Health615 Sheridan St.Port Townsend, WA 98368360-385-9400 Ext. 421ggilbert@co.jefferson.wa.us | www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/ Always working for a Safer and Healthier Jefferson County
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-----Original Message-----From: Lynn <lehani91@msn.com>Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2021 1:14 PMTo: Board of Health <boh@co.jefferson.wa.us>Subject: Veteran Healthcare in Jefferson County
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Hello,
I am looking for advice and direction regarding healthcare for our Veterans living in Jefferson County.My husband is a veteran and receives excellent local care through his VA benefits. He has, however, found a lot ofissues dealing with referrals to specialist with the VA Program - Community Care. I could share our horror stories ata later date. Suffice to say that the community care program for Veterans is broken in WA state. I do not Exaggeratewhen I say the VA does Not answer their phones. In dealing with issues for My husband we have heard from bothJefferson Healthcare and Swedish hospitals that they are encountering similar problems. I.e. - having to wait 8weeks for VA authorization, continued confusion on responsibility of authorizations. Honestly I could go on and on.My email request to you Board of Health is how do we fix this? I am so willing to help.One last comment. My father is also a Veteran living in FL and using the Community Care Program. I am veryinvolved in his care and I have not run into these roadblocks when arranging appointments and procedures for him.
We have contacted Elected State officials with this same request.
I respectfully wait for some answer from someone willing to acknowledge this situation and act upon it.
Thank you,
Lynn F. Hamlin-LeMaster