Representatives from the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System will field questions and concerns from area veterans at an upcoming meeting in Youngwood.
Plans are underway for a new veterans outpatient medical clinic in Westmoreland County.
The outreach event set for Tuesday at the town’s fire hall includes a town hall meeting, at 3 p.m., followed by a resource fair, from 4 to 6 p.m.
“We’ll be providing resources and answering questions,” said system spokeswoman Shelley Nulph. “It’s for veterans who are enrolled in the VA as well as ones who aren’t.”
After the broader town hall discussion, Nulph said, attendees will have the opportunity to speak individually with VA staff concerning topics such as questions about a benefit claim or making an appointment for medical care.
Staff from the Westmoreland VA clinic will be on hand, she said.
Officials are planning to open a new, expanded Westmoreland clinic in 2026, but Nulph said a site has yet to be determined.
The current clinic occupies 14,000 square feet behind Westmoreland Mall and serves about 6,000 veterans each year. Opened in 2007, it is operated by an outside contractor.
Nulph said plans are to staff the new 33,000-square-foot facility with system employees, with added services to include audiology, physical therapy, acupuncture and chiropractic care.
“There will be an infusion room for chemotherapy treatments,” she said. “We don’t want veterans to have to drive to Pittsburgh for chemotherapy. We want them to get that closer to home.”
An important topic that likely will be touched on during Tuesday’s event is the 2022 federal Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
The legislation has added more than 20 health conditions to the list of those the VA presumes are caused by a toxic exposure if the person served in a given time frame and location.
Added presumptive conditions linked to Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War include high blood pressure. Brain cancer, lymphoma and melanoma are among 11 types of cancer that have been added to the list of presumptive conditions for exposure to burn pits or other toxic exposures during Gulf War or post-9/11 military service.
Now, Nulph said, the VA is obligated to screen all veterans under its care for possible toxic exposure.
“It’s also going to enable additional research into those toxic exposures and the long-term consequences,” she said.
Westmoreland County’s Veterans Affairs Office also will have staff present Tuesday to answer questions from veterans.
“A lot of veterans don’t realize they may be eligible for VA health care,” said Matt Zamosky, director of the county office. “They can use it to augment their existing insurance.”
Assistance with hearing aids, stair lifts and prescription medicines are some of the benefits eligible veterans can explore through VA coverage, Zamosky said.
“There are a lot of benefits to being enrolled in VA health care,” he said.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.