The state Veterans Administration garnered a $150,000 grant for healthcare transportation on the Kenai Peninsula over the next three years.
At a town hall meeting two weeks ago it was stated that 2,589 veterans had enrolled in healthcare in the Kenai Peninsula Borough but only 1,710 had accessed VA medical services making transportation a top priority.
VA Program and Grants Manager Forrest Powell said the grant was finalized last fall but got rolling in December 2014 and Peninsula veterans have been getting “free” rides from Alaska Cab.
Powell: “We selected that organization to recieve the grant to help us to get the veterans into the VA system and we do have a CBOC, a Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Soldotna.”
Powell said veterans can show their green retirement ID card, State ID with veteran symbol, or VA healthcare card for the transportation services. If veterans do not yet have a healthcare card they can get a free ride to the Community Based Outpatient Clinic in order to get that card.
Powell: ” Of course this is a round trip too by the way, and if you need round trip to the pharmacy, or a facility that’s recognized by the VA or is partnered with the VA, and provide that information and they’ll make sure that they get that information to me once a month so that way we monitor and watch.”
That $150,000 grant is dispersed as $50,000 per federal fiscal year according to Powell and the next $50,000 round will begin October 1, 2015.
