Press Release
Rep. Cuellar Announces Expansion of VA Health Care Services for Laredo-Area VeteransNew partnership between TriWest and Gateway Community Health Center will allow for expansion of health services
Washington,
October 20, 2016
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Rafael Benavides
((956) 725-0639)
Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) on Thursday announced a partnership between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System, TriWest Healthcare Alliance and Gateway Community Health Center Inc. that will allow for further expansion of health care services for veterans at the Laredo (VA) Outpatient Clinic.
In 2014, the VA expanded its Patient-Centered Community Care contracts with TriWest Healthcare Alliance to include implementing the Veterans Choice Program, which ensures veterans have access to the quality health care services they need through established partnerships between health clinics and the VA system. Under the Choice Program, if the VA cannot schedule an appointment within 30 days of the veteran’s preferred date, or if the veteran resides more than 40 miles from their closest VA medical facility, the veteran can receive medical care at community care provides such as Gateway Community Health Center. Veterans in Webb County can now receive health care services at Gateway Community Health Center if the local VA clinic cannot see them within 30 days of their preferred date. This means more services, expanded quality care and faster appointments with doctors and health professionals. "Veterans’ needs have been a priority of mine since being entering Congress more than 10 years ago,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar. “Our veterans have paid a great price to defend our country, and they deserve nothing but the best healthcare here at home, without having to travel far away. “This new partnership between the VA and Gateway Community Health Center is another example of our shared commitment to put our veterans first. I thak Laredo Outpatient Clinic Administrative Officer Lawrence A. DeVoto, Capt. USA Ret., and Gateway Community Health Center CEO Elmo Lopez, Jr., for their hard work and dedication to our local veterans.” “Gateway’s mission is ‘To Provide Quality Care for All’ and this partnership with the VA is allowing us to further extend that care,” said Elmo Lopez, Jr., CEO of Gateway Community Health Center Inc. “We are thrilled to be able to offer our Veterans more services and more options. We thank Mr. Lawrence DeVoto, Administrative Officer of the Laredo VA Outpatient Clinic, and Congressman Cuellar for his continued support and mission to ensure accessible healthcare. “ |