Los Banos veterans to receive medical care closer to home
LOS BANOS, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Veterans in Los Banos will now be able to get access to medical care closer to home thanks to a new project by the Department of Veterans Affairs Central California Health Care System.
Officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) say the program launched in 2021, with its very first appointment on March 19, 2021. The program will allow Veterans to receive VA care closer to home. An open house for the Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS) program was being held on Wednesday.
Through ATLAS, officials say veterans can meet with a VA provider by video in a private, soundproof pod at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Los Banos, making it easier to access and reducing burdens like long travel times to appointments.
The program will serve veterans living in the cities of Los Banos, Santa Nella, Dos Palos, Firebaugh, and Gustine. Officials say they have fulfilled over 250 appointments since the date of inception in 2021, making it the most successful ATLAS program nationwide.
The program, according to VA officials, will offer appointments for Primary Care, Mental Health, Food and Nutrition, Pharmacy, Pulmonary, Whole Health, and more. The site at the Veterans Memorial Hall in Los Banos is possible through a partnership with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2487 and American Legion Post 166.
The open house was held on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 615 E Street in Los Banos. The ceremony began at 11:30 a.m.
