WASHINGTON, D.C. – Continuing his commitment to South Jersey veterans, U.S. Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo (R-2nd) Thur., April 14 released the latest information about local dialysis services approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for South Jersey veterans.
“In the past few years, we’ve made progress in expanding the list of healthcare services offered locally for South Jersey veterans enrolled in the VA, including the new Northfield clinic. But our work is not done to ensure those who served receive what they are owed,” stated LoBiondo in a release.
At LoBiondo’s request, the VA provided details of its existing blanket ordering agreements (BOAs) for dialysis service providers serving South Jersey veterans. The BOAs were approved by the VA in summer 2010 with private providers in South Jersey. For enrolled veterans approved by the Wilmington VA Medical Center on a case by case basis, dialysis services are available under the VA’s BOAs with the following South Jersey providers in the 2nd Congressional District:
Renal Care Group – Cape May
1259 Route 9 South
Cape May Court House
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Fresenius Medical Care – Atlantic City
1501 Atlantic Ave
Atlantic City
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Renal Care Group – Egg Harbor
6701 Blackhorse Pike
Egg Harbor TownshipLoBiondo requested the BOA details upon the rejection of a proposal by Shore Memorial Hospital to provide dialysis services to local veterans. In November 2010, LoBiondo and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) petitioned the VA in support of the proposal. In denying the request, the VA announced that it already had contractual agreements with local dialysis providers, though such agreements were unknown to the lawmakers and many local veterans.
“A key concern was the availability of critical dialysis services locally, reducing significant hardship on South Jersey veterans traveling to Wilmington for treatment. Knowing that the VA currently has agreements with local providers for dialysis services to reduce hardship should give peace of mind to those veterans and their families needing such care,” said LoBiondo.
Despite the VA’s position that there is insufficient number of enrollees, LoBiondo has long advocated for greater local healthcare services for South Jersey veterans. He continues to push for additional services at the four community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in Ventnor, Vineland, Cape May and Sewell.
LoBiondo has also been working with the VA on the new location in Northfield that will replace the existing VA community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) in Ventnor this summer. The Northfield location (1909 New Road) will offer approximately 10,000 square feet of space on the single floor building, making it more accessible for disabled veterans. It is also convenient to two mass transit lines, easy access to major roadways and plenty of surface and handicapped parking. LoBiondo continues to work with VA officials and local veterans groups on bringing additional services to the area’s CBOCs.
LoBiondo voted with the party leadership, headed by House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio. There were 59 GOP House members who shunned the party’s leader and cast votes with 108 Democrats against passage of the bill.
Fishing Creek – If the government wants you looking UP, like at the sky for drones; then you should be looking DOWN for what they want you distracted from. Stuff like underground nuclear testing or an AI defacto…
