Page 9 - Desert Oracle May 2021

• City of Tucson Veterans Affairs Committee- May 12
• Marana Chamber of Commerce Veteran’s Committee Meeting- May 12

SAVAHCS COVID-19 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION

• The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System is currently providing the COVID-19
vaccine ALL Veterans, their spouses, and caregivers. Those interested in receiving the
COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to sign up at the following
link https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/stay-informed or call (520) 629-4729
to schedule an appointment
o The Tucson Main Campus is currently accepting walk ins. Those interested
should sign up at https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/stay-
informed

• Veterans who are not enrolled can learn about eligibility, and those who qualify, may apply
for enrollment

4 MISSION
th
• The SAVAHCS has an agreement with Indian Health services (IHS) to provide 4 beds (2
COVID and 2 non- COVID), based on bed availability through 2021
CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

• Northwest CBOC is currently under construction; the new Northwest CBOC should be
ready for occupancy in late 2021
o 29 exam rooms
o 3 procedure rooms
o 9 primary care teams
• We are expanding the Mental Health Clinic in Building 90 (13,000 square feet)
o Remodel Agave Clinic into a PACT model
o New Entry Way, create a Vet Waiting Area, and Vet Break Room
• We are renovating the Pathology Services area in Building 38 (currently 70% completed)

• We are remodeling the Emergency Department in Building 50
o Adding a CT and X-Ray suite

NATIONAL VHA NEWS

VETERAN COPAYMENT CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS AS PER AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN

• On March 12, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) was passed by Congress and
signed into law by President Biden. While there are multiple sections of the law that
involve VA, there is one critical section that affects the Office of Community Care Revenue
Operations – that is the provision that all copayments for medical care and prescriptions