Cboc is Now Two Steps Closer to Becoming a Reality
Statement
CBOC IS NOW TWO STEPS CLOSER TO BECOMING A REALITY
Carney receives regional decision that CBOC is set for placement in Northumberland or Snyder County
After working for over a year with the Wilkes Barre Veterans Affairs Center, Congressman Christopher P. Carney announced that a VA CBOC (Community Based Outpatient Clinic) is two steps closer to coming to the greater Susquehanna Valleyeither Snyder or Northumberland County. The CBOC proposal has been approved by Michael Moreland, Director of VISN 4 VA regional office, and the VA Under Secretary of Health, Michael J. Kussman M.D. The next step is for the proposal to be approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Dr. James B. Peake.
"I have made fighting for our veterans and military families a top priority in Congress. I continue to hear from many veterans and military families across our district that we need another health care facility in central Pennsylvania," said Congressman Carney. "Too many veterans and their families must travel from central Pennsylvania to Wilkes Barre or Lebanon for primary health care services. Regular treatments mean extensive travel. And some of our aging veterans simply cannot make the trip."
"My office has continued to push for a CBOC in Northumberland or Snyder counties. Each step of the way, we have stressed the needs of our veterans and military families. The next step is for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Dr. James B. Peake, to review and approve the proposal," said Congressman Carney.
Dr. James Peake's decision could include a location recommendation. If the Secretary does not make a location recommendation then the location will be decided in the bidding process.
"I will be in touch with Secretary Peake next week to relay the need for this CBOC in our area and why it is so important to the veterans living here. We will continue to support the CBOC proposal to ensure it becomes a reality," said Carney.
Frank J. Sawicki, Northumberland County Commissioner and Vietnam Combat Veteran, praised Congressman Carney's work. "I am very happy that the need we have recognized in this area for so long has also been recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is good news for the veterans in our area and I want to thank Congressman Carney for his work on this clinic."
"I would like to thank Congressman Carney for what he has done to help move this process along. Our area veterans, many of them aging, should not have to travel great distances through urban areas to get the basic medical care they need. This is definitely a step in the right direction," said Richard "Bud" Bickhart, Snyder County Commissioner and a Vietnam veteran with the U.S. Marine Corps.
The proposal, issued by the Wilkes Barre Veterans Affairs Center, indicates that this CBOC would provide primary health care services to veterans, including: primary health care, preventive health services, patient education, immunizations, lab, EKG, chest, abdominal and skeletal radiographs, emergency medically necessary prescriptions, telemedicine and mental health services. If approved, the preferred option at this point would be to provide these services via a contract to an existing health care center. This will ensure that no delay in services occurs due to construction.
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