The Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense have expanded their existing partnership to allow veterans, soldiers, cadets, and other beneficiaries to receive care from the Keller Army Community Hospital (KACH) on the West Point Army Installation and at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System.

Enrolled Veterans can now receive mammograms and orthopedic care from KACH providers and surgical services from VA surgeons at Keller Army Community Hospital. This partnership also expands access to specialty care, virtual traumatic brain injury care, and inpatient behavioral care for soldiers, cadets, and other beneficiaries at VA Hudson Valley Health Care System.

The partnership, which is the first of its kind in New York, is a key part of VA’s comprehensive strategy to modernize the VA health care system nationwide -- including through partnerships with DOD. This is one of hundreds of partnerships across the country with DOD, including 14 near- and long-term projects to expand access to care for veterans. Through this effort, VA is aggressively working to expand access to care for Veterans and address challenges associated with aging facilities.

“This partnership will help make sure that New York veterans have access to world-class health care close to home,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, M.D. “At a time when Veterans are signing up for VA care and using VA care at record rates, collaborations like this are critical -- especially for veterans who live in rural areas. By partnering with DOD, we can ensure that health care is accessible and convenient, sparing veterans the burden of traveling long distances for the care they deserve.”

With nine locations throughout Hudson Valley, New York, including hospitals in Montrose and Wappingers Falls, alongside seven community-based outpatient clinics, VA Hudson Valley Healthcare System serves 24,000 veterans annually in the Hudson Valley and beyond. Notably, 27% of the veterans cared for by VA Hudson Valley Health Care System reside in rural or highly rural areas, underscoring the vital role these facilities play in reaching and supporting veterans in diverse geographic regions. Moreover, this will help the 40% of veterans from Orange County who reside in rural areas.

VA is aggressively working to bring new veterans to VA, because VA is proven to be the best, most affordable health care in America for Veterans. For more information on VA health care for Veterans in Hudson Valley, www.va.gov/hudson-valley-health-care/.