Saint Al’s launches program to serve military community

A new program offered by Saint Alphonsus Health System looks to better serve those who serve.

Active members of the armed forces, veterans and their families living in the Treasure Valley could have an easier time accessing more comprehensive medical services under a new program announced by the health system.

The Military and Veterans Health Program will focus on training the hospital’s providers and staff to respond to the unique health concerns and challenges of the military community, Saint Alphonsus said in a news release.

The program’s ongoing training consists of familiarity with military service cultures (active duty, reserve and National Guard), as well as common diseases, injuries and exposures associated with active duty and deployed service members and veterans.

The health system said it will pilot the program at the Nampa Medical Center, the South Nampa Saint Alphonsus Emergency Department and the Saint Alphonsus Medical Group Clinic.

“We know that military veterans and their families are working and receiving care in our facilities, and we often have no knowledge of their military service,” said Travis P. Leach, president of Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Nampa. “As a military service member myself, I have great affection for our service members and their families, and I’m proud that we’re launching this project in Nampa.”

Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Nampa joins five other Trinity Health hospitals around the U.S. participating in the launch of the Military Veterans Program.

Many hospitals around the country are looking to broaden access for former service members seeking medical care outside the network of hospitals and clinics run by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The VA has struggled in recent years to ensure patients can see doctors in a timely fashion. In 2014, Congress introduced the Veterans Choice Program, which allowed former service members to receive health care at non-VA facilities.

The active military – the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard – has its own integrated health care system. In addition to providing medical care in combat situations and at bases overseas (as well as on ships), the system has 57 hospitals and 400 clinics.

Since military health facilities cannot accommodate the demand for care by all active duty service people and their dependents, Uncle Sam has its own government-provided insurance plan called TRICARE for those who cannot get help at military health hospitals or clinics.

TRICARE, much like Medicare, is insurance that is paid by the government but uses private doctors and hospitals.