Veterans Administration officials visit Decorah to hear vets' concerns

A crowd of around 40 veterans and family members attended a Town Hall at the Decorah Public LIbrary on Thursday afternoon.

The Director of the Iowa City VA Medical Center, Judith Johnson-Mekota, said she and the other VA officials were "here to listen."

The veterans asked a variety of questions, many of them having to do with their individual health situations.

Several of the comments, however, touched upon the changes brought about by the opening of the 10,000 square foot Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic in Decorah.  The facility includes nine exam rooms, a laboratory and a radiology room.

Veterans from anywhere can use the clinic, although most of the patients will come from Northeast Iowa and Southeastern Minnesota.  That means area veterans need to decide whether to contact the Decorah Clinic or the Iowa City Clinic.  Several veterans say they head to Iowa City for specialty care and use the Decorah VA Clinic as a starting point.

Iowa City VA Center officials say there is a van that leaves Decorah and travels to Iowa City--although it often leaves Decorah at 3:30 in the morning.  That suttle service can be convenient for people with a morning appointment at the Iowa City VA Clinic--but less so for veterans with afternoon appointments.

VA officials also stressed on Thursday that the staff at the Decorah VA Clinic can help answer questions not only involving the Decorah location, but can contact the Iowa City VA Clinic on behalf of a patient.

Thursday's Town Hall included not only a public session, but a chance for veterans to talk one-on-one with VA officials after the public session.

Iowa City VA Clinic representatives Dawn Oxley, Dr. Richard Charlat and Judith Johnson-Mekota