Orlando Espinoza informed the program manager, Jim Zenner, that many veterans were missing their medical appointments, along with non-medical VA appointments in West Los Angeles (HUD+VASH Program, HPACT, and the Los Angeles Regional Benefit Office). When the clients miss their appointments, it affects their performance with finding permanent housing, because they get discouraged and unmotivated. Orlando spoke with Jim and inquired if the VA would be willing to provide a medical mobile unit (MMU) for the clients who are having difficulties attending their medical appointments. The VA currently has a small number of medical mobile units active throughout the United States, but a study was conducted on six clinics operating in areas that were
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An increased use of VHA’s outpatient services could be credited to the MMUs, but providing health care through MMUs was expensive. Mobile clinics are a costly delivery mechanism because of high fix costs, and low volume in rural areas (1999). The purchase price of the motor coach, maintenance, outfitting it as a medical facility, salaries, and medical equipment. After a two year study on the VA medical mobile units, studies suggests that the access points did improve rural veterans’ access to VA healthcare. A key advantage of mobile clinics is their flexibility in response to low demand.
The mobile clinic is just one effort by the VA to expand health care to veterans with limited access. With the issue of clients missing their VA appointments in the program, a VA mobile clinic could probably help clients with attending the medical appointments, and staying motivated when they are searching for permanent housing. Mobile units are very expensive, but it was just an idea that could help the clients. The Barracks Program does provide and offer rides to the clients, but the only van is used most of the time for other
An increased use of VHA’s outpatient services could be credited to the MMUs, but providing health care through MMUs was expensive. Mobile clinics are a costly delivery mechanism because of high fix costs, and low volume in rural areas (1999). The purchase price of the motor coach, maintenance, outfitting it as a medical facility, salaries, and medical equipment. After a two year study on the VA medical mobile units, studies suggests that the access points did improve rural veterans’ access to VA healthcare. A key advantage of mobile clinics is their flexibility in response to low demand.
The mobile clinic is just one effort by the VA to expand health care to veterans with limited access. With the issue of clients missing their VA appointments in the program, a VA mobile clinic could probably help clients with attending the medical appointments, and staying motivated when they are searching for permanent housing. Mobile units are very expensive, but it was just an idea that could help the clients. The Barracks Program does provide and offer rides to the clients, but the only van is used most of the time for other