Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Chief, Public Affairs Officer (PAO) Todd Sledge answers a question concerning the VA’s telephone messaging system during a Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #63 (Clermont County) meeting. In addition to discussing the new Community Based-Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) being constructed near the Eastgate Plaza, PAO Sledge addressed comments, suggestions, and recommendations, from the twenty-nine (29) DAV Chapter members attending the meeting. Photo courtesy DAVA Unit #63 Commander Shirley Plahovinsak.
Twenty-nine (29) Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #63 (Clermont County) members listen to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Public Affairs Officer Todd Sledge discuss the many advantages of the new Community Based-Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) which is being constructed at the Eastgate Plaza. “The DAV members certainly appreciate being informed on how this new CBOC will affect their lives,” said Chapter #63 Commander James Stanzak. Photo courtesy DAVA Unit #63 Commander Shirley Plahovinsak.
“The Cincinnati VA Community Based-Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), currently located on State Route 32, will be relocating to a new home,” stated the Chief, Public Affairs Officer for the VAMC Cincinnati, Todd Sledge.
The Public Affairs Officer was invited to speak to the membership of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #63 (Clermont County) meeting as a part of the chapter’s continuing education program.
According to Sledge, the newly constructed CBOC will offer nearly 26,000 square feet of space for veteran medical services, as compared to the current facility with only 15,000 square feet. This will nearly double the size of the old location and is designed for 130 parking spaces.
The new CBOC, scheduled to be completed in early Fall and located at 4327 Ivy Pointe Boulevard, will focus on improved patient care and clinical efficiency.
It will provide Primary Care medical services, Optometry, Ophthalmology, Mental Health, Women’s Health, Physical Therapy, Podiatry, Audiology and Pathology for veterans.
In addition to providing the Chapter #63 members with a detailed briefing of the features of the new CBOC, the Public Affairs Officers discussed other pertinent veteran-related issues.
On March 5, 2024, the VA launched the largest expansion of VA healthcare eligibility. Veterans, who met the basic service and discharge requirements, and were exposed to certain toxins were now eligible to enroll directly into the VA healthcare system.
In addition, veterans who never were deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States are eligible to enroll in the VA healthcare system.
The Public Affairs Officer, who suggested calling the VAMC Eligibility Office at (513) 475-6499 about the VA healthcare benefits, was told that the DAV has always strongly encouraged any unenrolled veteran to call the VA to inquire about their healthcare benefits.
“This is not really a “benefit” to veterans – this is something that veterans have “earned” by their military service to our country,” explained Chapter #63 Treasurer Don Sheppard, who also serves on the Clermont County Veteran Services Commission.
Sledge explained to the DAV members that veterans who are enrolled in VA health care are proven to have better health outcomes than those who get their care elsewhere. Their satisfaction rate with the VA is extremely high.
And in 2024, the VAMC has surpassed non-VAMC hospitals in quality ratings and patient satisfaction ratings. The primary reason for this is that “VAMC clinicians know veterans—and are often veterans themselves—and they know exactly how to help.”
The VA has emphasized suicide prevention as its’ number one priority and the passage of the Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care Treatment (COMPACT) Act plays a big role.
“This Act will reduce the number of veteran suicides by offering immediate care when veterans are at the most vulnerable time in their lives,” said Sledge. “It will potentially increase access to acute suicide care to an additional nine (9) million veterans.”
“We would like to personally thank the VA for having Todd Sledge speak to our membership about the new CBOC that is being built,” stated Chapter #63 Commander Jim Stanzak, “and also for making us aware of new veteran-related issues and programs.”
“Disabled veterans depend on the VA for our medical care,” concluded Commander Stanzak, “and they always have delivered quality medical care to our disabled veterans, like myself!”