Va echcs kicks off expansions in colorado springs | va eastern colorado health care | veterans affairs

VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) opened a facility space April 7 that more than doubled the size of a VA clinic, the first of several area projects making way this year for

additional VA services in Colorado Springs. “We’re moving services closer to where Veterans live,” said VA ECHCS Director Michael Kilmer, facing community leaders and Veteran advocates in

suite 100 at Union Boulevard VA Clinic, located in Premier Health Plaza at 3920 North Union Boulevard in Colorado Springs. Army Veteran Edwin Beck, 98, cut a red ribbon at the entrance to

the VA clinic’s new space. Captured in 1944 by German soldiers launching their last major offensive on the Western Front during WWII, he’s depended on VA care for decades. The new

9,000-square-foot, first-floor suite expands the VA primary care services already available upstairs in suite 200, an 8,000-square-foot space. On the third floor, Colorado Springs Vet Center

will continue to offer counseling in a non-clinical setting. “We’re invested in our entire health care system,” said Kilmer. Of the more than 100,000 Veterans currently enrolled in VA

ECHCS, roughly 48,000 live in Colorado Springs. VA recommendations published last year, after nationwide market assessments under the VA MISSION Act, pointed to significant enrollee growth

in Colorado Springs. The number of Veterans enrolled in VA care was projected to increase by 23.8-percent over 10 years. The PACT Act expanded eligibility last August for millions of

Veterans, including Vietnam, Gulf War and Post-9/11 Veterans. VA is recognizing more than 20 new presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic exposures. Of the more

than 34,000 screenings completed since November in VA ECHCS, nearly half had at least one exposure concern. Two more facility projects will finish this year in Colorado Springs. Garden of

the Gods VA Clinic, a 3,600-square-foot space, will offer intensive community mental health recovery and vocational rehabilitation services, as well as care for Veterans experiencing

homelessness. Space Center Drive VA Clinic, located near East Platte Avenue and North Powers Boulevard, will add this summer another 16,000 square feet for primary care teams, laboratory

services and physical therapy. Most VA primary care teams will relocate from PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom VA Clinic. The 76,000-square-foot outpatient facility on Centennial Boulevard will become

a specialty hub, including physical therapy, orthopedics, cardiology, urology, acupuncture and chiropractic care. This year’s projects will also open enough space for six more primary care

teams, so 6,000 more Veterans can also choose VA providers for routine health and wellness check-ups. Kilmer says enrolling helps inform VA health care infrastructure investment strategies.

“Every enrolled Veteran matters—every enrolled Veteran brings resources to this community and our local health care system,” said Kilmer. “Enrolling brings additional resources, and it helps

us to better understand the needs of the community.” “If you have a healthy Veteran community, I believe that we will have a healthy community overall, one that we’re all a part of.” For

more information on how to apply for VA health care, including the documents needed to determine eligibility, visit VA.gov/health-care/how-to-apply.