New Program to provide transportation for veterans to any VA medical center.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010 10:59 AM EST

SAGINAW -- The Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw is implementing a new transportation program this month that will provide round-trip veteran transportation from the Gaylord Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) located at 800 S. Otsego Ave., Gaylord, to the VA medical centers in Saginaw, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek and Detroit.

The Program is designed to enhance the already-existing Veterans Transportation Network that has been so generously supported by the Disabled American Veterans and volunteer drivers throughout Michigan and the United States.

Veterans who need transportation to a scheduled medical appointment at one of the VA medical centers in Lower Michigan may contact the Transportation Coordinator for Rural Health at 1-800-406-5143 ext. 13125, to schedule a ride.

Veterans should contact the coordinator at least 48 hours in advance of his/her appointment so appropriate arrangements can be made. Veterans who are offered this free transportation will be picked up at the Gaylord CBOC on a designated date and time to travel to the other medical centers. Lodging accommodations for veterans will be made on a case-by-case basis should the veteran need an overnight stay during travel between each medical center.

For more information on the Rural Health Transportation Initiative, contact Julie Zdrojkowski, chief, Administrative Support Section, at 1-800-406-5143, ext 13113.