VA partners with the Pennsylvania Turnpike to Improve Access to Health Care for Veterans Travelling through Pennsylvania
VA partners with the Pennsylvania Turnpike to Improve Access to Health Care for Veterans Travelling through Pennsylvania
Middletown, Pa. — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched a new initiative with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) to connect Veterans in rural areas with telehealth and mental health resources.
The PA Turnpike, the second largest tolling facility in the United States with the most miles, posted flyers at rest areas across their 565+ mile road system to help connect Veterans to VA resources. The flyers share easily accessible information about Veterans’ telehealth options, the closest VA location, and the Veterans Crisis Line — empowering Veterans in crisis or others concerned about one to access free and confidential support from caring and trained responders 24/7, 365 days a year.
VA selected Pennsylvania to expand the initiative due to the state’s size and rurality. VA worked closely with the PA Turnpike to provide the information at its 17 service plazas located along the PA Turnpike that provide round-the-clock food, fuel, restrooms and other amenities.
“We are excited about this campaign which will help Veterans access VA health care services and benefits they earned through their service to our country,” said Tim Liezert, Network Director, VA Healthcare–VISN 4.
Rural health care is often limited because of various influxes of funding, care requirements, and expansive geographics. This campaign will connect Veterans with VA resources and maintain their continuity of care within the VA health care system based upon the “Anywhere-to-Anywhere” Telehealth Practice Authority using VA Video Connect.
“Connecting our customers is critical to what we do at the Pennsylvania Turnpike, so we are ecstatic to support an initiative that connects our Veterans with valuable information about their health care options,” said Pennsylvania Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “Each day, a half million travelers use our roadway, and we know that Veterans are part of that number. We are happy to support our Veterans and provide them access to services that are available.”
If a transportation agency wants to participate in this multi-state initiative, contact VA Rocky Mountain Network’s Connected Care / Telehealth Office at VISN19CCT@va.gov.
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Media Contacts:
Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary- PA Turnpike Commission, Morbanek@paturnpike.com, 267-408-5151
David Cowgill, Communications Manager - VA Healthcare–VISN 4, David.Cowgill@va.gov, 412-552-0775