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GRANTS PASS Transportation hinders some Josephine County VA clinic visits Josephine County transit coordinator concedes a bus stop is needed nearby Comment By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Feb. 20, 2015 at 4:03 PM By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Feb. 20, 2015 at 4:03 PM » Social News A new Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Grants Pass provides local vets with crucial services that until recently had been available only in White City or Roseburg. Getting to the clinic, however, is proving to be as daunting for some vets as arranging an out-of-town trip. A high number of local vets don't drive and have to scramble to find rides. Many use the Josephine Community Transit bus service, which has bus stops throughout town but none near the new clinic. The state-of-the-art clinic is in the Guild Building business complex on Williams Highway. The closest bus stop is on Union Avenue in front of the Sonic drive-thru about three-quarters of a mile away. Jeanie Black, the lead medical support staffer at the clinic, has one patient who can't drive and who needs ongoing dialysis treatments. He lives out of town and takes the bus to as close as he can get to the clinic, which is the Sonic stop on Union. "He calls me, and I call a cab for him," Black said. Her patient isn't the only vet who faces that challenge. Jamie Travelini, who works at the American Legion post in Grants Pass, knows of other vets who face the same hurdle. "One guy I know is always having problems with transportation," she said. Mark Gatlin, a member of the Grants Pass City Council, said he talked to another local vet "who is having to walk about three-quarters of a mile from the bus stop to get to the center." When the VA begin looking for a new site for the clinic, there wasn't any thought given to where bus stops were located. The old clinic was located in the Three Rivers Medical Plaza and wasn't large enough to provide the gamut of services — such as primary care, lab, some part time mental health care and telehealth services — that are now available. Rhonda Haney, a public affairs specialist with the VA center in White City, said the primary goal when looking for a new location was space. "We wanted to bring in more medical teams," Haney said. She also said the White City center hasn't received any complaints or feedback about there not being a bus stop near the clinic. That's not the case for Scott Chancey, the transit program supervisor of Josephine Community Transit, who said his agency has been contacted about putting a bus stop near the clinic. "We definitely know there needs to be something out there," Chancey said. In fact, he said there have been requests to run the bus line all the way out Murphy, New Hope and Williams. "It comes down to resources," Chancey said. In other words, he needs money. "It's not as easy as just running over there. Everything we do affects our system," Chancey said. Sending a bus out to the clinic, and especially beyond, means adding a completely new route. Chancey said creating a new route would cost $60,000 to $70,000. He said he thinks he could get half of what's needed in federal grants, but he has to have matching local funds in order to qualify. The agency doesn't have any money for that, and there isn't much chance of coming up with it because Chancey can't use the revenue from the fares as part of the match. "It's one of those fun federal rules," he explained. "The minute I get the ability to do something out there, I'll jump on it," he added. Meanwhile, there are some other options for vets who have trouble getting to the clinic. Chancey said that transit riders can get door-to-door service if they qualify and if they plan ahead. "There's an application process. It's called paratransit service," he said. Application information is available by going online to www.co.josephine.or.us and going to the transit page under departments. Information is also available by calling 541-474-5452. "Typically we pick them up at the curb," Chancey said. Vets can also arrange rides through the VA clinic by calling 541-955-5551 to schedule an appointment to have a Disabled American Veteran van pick them up. "The DAV van will go to their home and take them to their appointment and wait for them," Haney said. Black said that any veteran can request a DAV van to pick them up. Haney said the biggest snag is a lack of volunteers to drive the vans. She said anybody interested in volunteering to be a driver should call James Cunningham at 541-826-2111, ext. 3269. Travelini also suggested that vets double-check with their insurance providers about potential transportation opportunities. For instance, her own insurance has a ready-ride service. "There are services out there that are available," she said. Reach reporter Jim Moore at 541-474-3721 or [email protected] By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Feb. 20, 2015 at 4:03 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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