The Veterans Administration’s outpatient clinic at Meadville will close Nov. 1, and southwest Mississippi veterans will have to go to VA clinics in either Natchez or Jackson for health care services afterwards.
G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery VA Medical Center spokesman Mario Rossilli said the Meadville clinic is closing because a subcontract between Natchez-based CR Associates, which provides veterans medical care in Meadville at Franklin County Memorial Hospital, expires on Oct. 31.
CR Associates has a contract with the VA to provide veterans medical care in Natchez and had established the Meadville satellite clinic, Rossilli said.
He said veterans enrolled at the Meadville clinic are being contacted by telephone and by mail to assist them in their transition to a new clinic.
“Our goal is to work with the veterans to make the transition as seamless as possible,” Rossilli said. “We want to make sure that the appointments will follow (the veterans) exactly as they would as if nothing has changed.”
About 1,400 veterans receive care at the Meadville location, according to the VA.
Linda F. Watson, center director at the Montgomery VA center in Jackson, said center officials also are working with CR Associates to ensure a smooth transition.
“The quality of care will not be interrupted,” Watson said.
One thing that will help with the transition is the VA’s electronic medical records system.
“Veterans will be able to go to Natchez or Jackson for care and the staffs at either center will be able to get their records,” he said.
Travel to Natchez or Jackson could be a temporary situation from some veterans.
Rossilli said the VA expects to open an outpatient clinic in McComb in the summer of 2010.
“We’re intent on opening that clinic up,” he said. “Given what happened (the response to the center) in Meadville, we certainly look forward to getting that clinic opened.”
Veterans who have questions may call (601) 442-7141 or (800) 949-1009.
The Natchez Clinic is located at 105 Northgate Road, Suite 2, in Natchez.
