During the COVID-19 crisis, VA is asking Veterans to lead their neighbors and communities in practicing social distancing. It’s tough, but it’s what we need to do to defeat this virus. Also, please consider using VA telemedicine for your care and medication needs, to help keep our fellow Veterans safe.

Here is a message from Dr. Richard Stone, Executive in Charge of the Veterans Health Administration and a former U.S. Army combat physician.

You and I are very proud to call ourselves Veterans. It means that we raised our hand and we agreed to serve this nation — even at great personal sacrifice.

I want to talk to you today about a level of leadership that is needed from America’s Veterans. You and I are used to following orders, doing things that we didn’t want to do, at the request of our leadership.

Americans are being asked to socially distance themselves from others. That’s hard. What I’m asking you for today is to help lead your neighbors, help lead your families, and help lead your communities. Accept social distancing as a requirement for the next number of weeks and let’s, as Veterans, lead this nation to behave in a manner that defeats this virus.

We’ve also asked you to change the way you receive your health care from us. I’m asking you to consider telemedicine for your visit. We don’t want you to be denied care; we want you to get care, and we’re available using telemedicine techniques to connect right to you in your living room, to make sure you have your prescriptions, to make sure you have your care, to make sure that we’re changing the dosages of your medicines and continuing to take care of you with the trust that we’ve earned in delivering excellent care over these many years.

So, I would ask you to call your medical center, make your appointment using telemedicine, and continue your care — because we need you healthy. And we look forward to getting to the other side of these very difficult times and seeing you face to face again in the near future.


For the latest VA updates on COVID-19, visit va.gov/coronavirus.

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9 Comments

  1. Stephen Williams April 13, 2020 at 20:36

    I just want to say thank you. VA, just like private providers, has good and bad clinicians but, thankfully, I’m proud to say that under the leadership of Michael Hershman, we seem to be working towards better product, service and accountability. I’ve been a 100% service connected Army vet using V.A. northern Indiana and Ann Arbor, Michigan (Thank the Maker for Dr. Bohnan), and my care keeps getting better and better. I’ve been using their services since I left the military in ‘93. I also have private insurance and have used both public and government care but who provides accountability to public services? No one. Call your local tv station. Not the case with our region.
    So, yeah, I have bitched and complained. Yes, they’ve danced on my last nerve. However, they are professionals SERVING US, so I keep bitching till I’m heard and I’m proud to say, I don’t have to go outside my provider anymore. Be patient and professional soldiers. You’ve got this because they’ve got you.

  2. Robert Buel Palmer April 8, 2020 at 23:59

    I have regular service as a consumer of VA medical services. A senior with prior lung problems and diabetic, I realize that I need an oxygen supply at home under the bed for my use with the current emergency. I can pick up the necessary parts if told where to go. Who should I contact at TOGUS, Augusta, or the Bangor Maine VA clinic for supplies and/or training Rob Palmer, former U.S. Army

  3. Don Harris April 7, 2020 at 13:43

    Thank you for the communication and the encouragement. I am currently receiving medical care through the VA . Recently I was discussing my continuing care through the VA Medical Services and in the light of the corona virus; and I asked about the use of hydroxychloraquine to help in the treatment of the virus. I was told that “The VA is not prescribing hydroxychloraquine for the treatment of, or prevention of the covid-19 virus.”

    I would like to know why the VA is denying this life saving drug to Veterans who may have symptoms of the covid-19 virus when the Commander in Chief has openly stated that the Administration is encouraging doctors to prescribe this ‘powerful’ drug when appropriate to treat the virus?

    I would appreciate an answer.
    Thank you.

  4. paul gregor April 7, 2020 at 13:27

    You guys are full of billsht you are there to help vets you shut down the dav vans so we cant get to appointments nice way to control the vets so we have to cancel our appointments

  5. John Mac April 5, 2020 at 21:16

    I wonder how these veterans cope in this pandemic period, giving the fact that they are the most vulnerable due to the fact that they are old or might have an underlying illness. I believe that Trump is working hard to make sure that we win this health war

  6. Lawrence Dos Santos April 4, 2020 at 18:31

    Under Public Law 116-120, VA is to establish a Pilot Program of Dental Benefits for Veterans that are not covered under existing eligibility. VISN 8 was selected to establish this Program. Evidently, VISN 8 and its’ Hospitals have no knowledge of this Program.
    I have a 50% Service Connection for Combat PTSD ( USMC Infantry Fire Team Leader Vietnam ). Due to Bruxism, my teeth and jaw are in terrible condition and adds to my anxiety as a result of PTSD. It would be very expensive to resolve my Dental Issues in the public sector.

    The VA was created for those Veterans ” who shall have borne the battle”. The focus of this intent at times appears to neglected. There should be a new Eligibility Group high up the ladder for those of us who fought the battles.

    • James Wright April 9, 2020 at 02:52

      How so?

  7. Karla Donovan , LTC ret April 4, 2020 at 12:15

    LTC Karla Donovan US Army Ret here social distancing but with the catch up VA is doing on having the right stuff to fight virus I want you to be aware that you have a path to newly developed emergency ventalators coming out of Norway where an oil and gas egineer had an idea and developed it with their National Defense Board. They go into production this month via Servi and Laeral Medical who is worldwide and by chance has a GSA contract also in US. Norway says they are producing more than they think they will need. And willing to share design and production. They will have 1000 by May. Maybe VA should work through Laeral to see if they can purchase the overproduction and contract for more

  8. Helen DeMouy April 3, 2020 at 14:35

    So if the Trump administration decides to encourage everyone to wear masks will the VA distribute them to homebound veterans currently in the Veterans administration health system communities as these will be considered essential medical supplies for veterans

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