Veteran Healthcare in Eastern Oregon (Portland, La Grande: living, prices, to move)

[Faith2Hope]

We love the Western Slope of Colorado, but because Grand Junction is 4500 ft and getting out of town usually means going up, we are going to have to move. Hubby is a 100% disabled veteran. We need a lower altitude and a dry climate so we're looking at La Grande which I understand has a VA Outpatient Clinic.
We like to get out and camp, fish and gold panning, oh, and bowling. We pretty much stick to ourselves.
Has anyone had experience with the VA facility there in La Grande?
Any pearls of wisdom you can impart?

[Random_Walk]

No idea ab't Eastern Oregon, but I have had way too much experience with the one in Portland.

Generally, they're okay places with pretty good care, though you'll probably already know that it's a planet all its own when it comes to paperwork and the like.

[karlsch]

I live in Baker City about 40 miles from La Grande on I-84.

My neighbor is a veteran who uses the VA hospital in Boise. He has always said good things about it. A regularly scheduled VA van takes him to Boise and brings him back to Baker City.

He probably knows about the Outpatient Clinic in La Grande. I will ask him and let you know.

[Faith2Hope]

@Random_Walk - We know the system well. Grand Junction is supposed to have one of the best hospitals, but it's still the VA. That being said, we'd never make it without it!
@Karlsch - we'd love to hear more. Does the van also come to La Grande?

Guess if there are some options here, I might need to check out Baker as well. We need someplace fairly inexpensive because I won't be old enough to get my medicare yet, but I doubt if I'll be able to find work either at my age. That would mean all we'd have is the disability.

[Terryj]

Originally Posted by Faith2Hope

@Random_Walk - We know the system well. Grand Junction is supposed to have one of the best hospitals, but it's still the VA. That being said, we'd never make it without it!
@Karlsch - we'd love to hear more. Does the van also come to La Grande?

Guess if there are some options here, I might need to check out Baker as well. We need someplace fairly inexpensive because I won't be old enough to get my medicare yet, but I doubt if I'll be able to find work either at my age. That would mean all we'd have is the disability.

Faith, if your husband is 100% disabled through the VA then you qualify for CHAMPVA medical, it works allot like medicare, my wife uses it we have no problems with it. Most doctors and hospitals that accept medicare will accept CHAMPVA.

I live in Southern Oregon so I don't know anything about the LaGrande clinic, our clinic in White City is pretty good, however, anything serious I go to Portland, I've heard good things about the Bosie VA Hospital.

[Faith2Hope]

Thanks @Terryj I do use ChampVA presently and have been pretty happy with it. We are now including some of the towns closer to the Idaho border as options so that we could take advantage of the Boise VA. Housing seems cheaper too. (I really like being closer to the hills/mtns though) Baker City is too high so it's out.

Taking a trip through there in June and we will look the areas over.

Don't think we can make the move right now, (1) Hubby's Dad is still living and I'm not sure we should leave (There are 2 other brothers and a sister available however) (2) I have a great job now, doesn't pay a great deal, but great people and the money is enough, however there is no retirement so I will be depending on my small Social Security.

[Bluesmama]

Check out the VA hospital in Walla Walla, WA instead. I'm told that it's a really nice one. It's around 80 miles away ~ not that close but not that far, either.

[Faith2Hope]

Thanks, I will look.
Housing prices looked a little higher, but I will look again.

[cxiaowei]

Hi, Fridend:

I can't help to tell you this information. My homemate is a physicial assistant. He quit his job recently to go to Florida to take care of his parents.

He has the job at La Grande exactly as the job you are looking for.
I have his phone number, But I am not sure if I can provide his phone number to you without offending my homemate.








We love the Western Slope of Colorado, but because Grand Junction is 4500 ft and getting out of town usually means going up, we are going to have to move. Hubby is a 100% disabled veteran. We need a lower altitude and a dry climate so we're looking at La Grande which I understand has a VA Outpatient Clinic.
We like to get out and camp, fish and gold panning, oh, and bowling. We pretty much stick to ourselves.
Has anyone had experience with the VA facility there in La Grande?
Any pearls of wisdom you can impart?

[Faith2Hope]

cxiaowei,
Thanks for the response. We don't know when the move might be, but probably at least next year. So, I'm not really interested in looking for jobs at the moment.



We are looking at the VA health care conditions in Oregon right now. I think we are seriously considering the Ontario area. The VA is 40 miles away, but it is a full fledged hospital and probably better for our needs.