Washington — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has chosen the Cary Medical Center in Caribou as one of five pilot locations nationwide for a program dubbed Project ARCH, for Access Received Closer to Home. The VA hospital in Togus will oversee the Caribou site.

Maine lawmakers lauded the announcement, with Rep. Mike Michaud, D-2nd, noting that he worked to pass legislation in 2008 that authorized the remote care pilot program and has been pushing the VA to put the initiative into effect.

“For too long our veterans have struggled with the unacceptably long drives to Togus or Boston. It’s my hope that this pilot will be expanded after the VA sees how important getting care locally is for these Maine veterans.”

Michaud, a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said the VA Maine Healthcare System in Togus will track the performance of the Cary Medical Center’s program. It will be about two months before the center in Caribou is ready to offer health care services to veterans, Michaud said.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the new program will help veterans in Aroostook County stay closer to home while still receiving medical care. Collins said she took has been pushing for better access to health care for veterans living in rural areas.

“This unique program will help reduce the need for veterans in and around Caribou to travel long distances to receive quality medical care-allowing more veterans to access health care when and where they need it,” Collins said.

Michaud’s office said veterans wanting more information about the program in Caribou can contact Ryan Lilly at Ryan.Lilly@va.gov or 207-623-8411.
 

 

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