New Hampshire veterans may not have to travel so far to receive services.
That’s after the Department of Veterans Affairs changed its policy to driving distance rather than straight line distance when calculating eligibility for its choice program.
Director of the medical center Deborah Amdur said about 800 more Granite Staters will now be able to get care in their community on the V.A. ‘s dime. The policy change, which effects anyone who lives 20 miles or more from a V.A. hospital, will take effect immediately.
“It started as the crow flies so we all know that that measurement is very challenging in a rural state like ours, you can’t drive through the mountains, so that has been modified to be driving distance,” said Amdur, adding that this year's brutal winter has also prevented many vets from getting timely care.
Currently New Hampshire does not have a full service V.A. hospital, making the White River Junction Medical Center the closest option for veterans.
