Partnership Allows VA Patients to Receive Care at Keller Army Community Hospital

A recently expanded partnership between the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) now allows New York veterans, soldiers, cadets, and other beneficiaries to receive care at Keller Army Community Hospital on the West Point Army Installation, West Point, New York, in addition to the care available at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System.

Per the partnership, veterans have access to mammograms and orthopedic care from Keller Army Community Hospital providers, surgical services at Keller Army Community Hospital from VA surgeons, and enhanced specialty care, virtual traumatic brain injury care, and inpatient behavioral care. The partnership is the first in New York but one of hundreds across the country with the DOD to expand access to care for veterans.

“At a time when veterans are signing up for VA care and using VA care at record rates, collaborations like this are critical—especially for veterans who live in rural areas,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, MD. “By partnering with DOD, we can ensure that health care is accessible and convenient, sparing veterans the burden of traveling long distances [for] the care they deserve.”

Approximately 1 in 4 veterans who receive care at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System live in rural or highly rural areas. The VA Hudson Valley Health Care System serves 24,000 veterans annually at its 2 hospitals in Montrose, New York, and Wappingers Falls, New York, and seven outpatient clinics throughout New York’s Hudson Valley region.

“This partnership supports readiness by helping our medical professionals maintain their clinical readiness skills,” said Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Lester Martínez-López, MD. “It’s also an extension of our collective commitment to provide increased access to health care for those who have sacrificed so much for this country.”

Reference

VA and DOD partner to increase health care access for New York Veterans and service members. News release. US Department of Veterans Affairs; April 22, 2024. Accessed April 29, 2024. https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-dod-partner-increase-health-care-access-for-new-york-veterans/