News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Van Buren County veterans may not have to travel as far for medical care thanks to a new telehealth facility.
The Virtual Living Room Telehealth Access Portal provides virtual health care access for veterans in rural communities. American Legion Department Commander Luther Holsonback said this is the first of its kind in Tennessee.
“I think that the veteran will not be afraid to travel to a local area to have their healthcare needs taken care of,” Holsonback said. “I think just access, having that access, will bring a quality of life issue to the veteran and improve their lives.”
Van Buren’s American Legion Post 207 Commander Hansel Moore collaborated with Holsonback to provide this service. Legion members and local veterans gathered Thursday for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the year and a half long project.
“It just illuminates a lot of extra problems for the veteran trying to get to the appointment whether it be in Nashville or Murfreesboro,” Holsonback said. “Whether it’s trying to drive to those locations, whether it’s trying to get back in the dark for some of our older veterans.”
Holsonback said it was important to provide this service for Van Buren. Ten percent of the population is comprised of veterans.
Moore and Holsonback are continuing their collaboration to bring more access portals to other rural counties in the state. Moore has spoken to the Sparta and Crossville legions so far.
“It’s kinda like a forest fire, once a spark gets started it’s kinda hard to stop it if the tinder is there,” Holsonback said. “I think the need is there. I think it’s just another way that the American Legion can support our veterans and support them in the correct way.”
Moore is a nurse for the Murfreesboro VA.
