There are also community partners across the nation helping to decrease su***des:
• https://www.bulletpointsproject.org/ (Clinical tools for preventing firearm injury)
• American Foundation for Su***de Prevention (AFSP) has resources for su***de prevention, as well as local events like the “Out of the Darkness” walks this month. Find out more at https://afsp.org/
Transitioning to civilian life can be tough. Finding the right VA Resources shouldn't be. Find the VA Resources you need easily and quickly.
09/02/2025
In this episode of theSITREP, Paul discusses a big change for the Department of Veterans Affairs' Community Care program.
VA will now offer year-long authorizations for cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, neurology and otology, otolaryngology or ENT, gastroenterology, urogynecology, addiction psychiatry outpatient, family and couples psychotherapy outpatient, mental health outpatient, nephrology, neurology, nutrition intervention services, oncology and hematology, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastic, eye care examination, optometry routine, orthopedic hand, orthopedic general, orthopedic spine, pain management, podiatry, podiatry DS, addiction medicine outpatient, pulmonary, physical medicine and rehabilitation (physiatry), rheumatology, sleep medicine, and urology.
VA extends community care authorizations for eligible standardized types of care for a year.
08/29/2025
The city of Vancouver has updated the traffic pattern at the Fourth Plain Entrance to the Vancouver VA campus.
The new bike lanes are now active with signals controlling bike traffic. They have also installed "No Turn on Red" signs for right hand turns leaving the VA campus, or entering from Fourth Plain Blvd when heading eastbound.
Please be aware of this traffic change, and watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists.
08/29/2025
Speaking of travel... did you know Veterans can now submit and track “mileage-only” travel claims directly from a smartphone or mobile device via the VA Health and Benefits mobile app available in both iOS and Android.
The new feature will potentially reduce the number of paper claim submissions, which can take longer for VA to process.
Veterans who meet certain criteria, such as having a service-connected disability rating of 30% or higher, are eligible for health care travel reimbursement if they traveled in their own vehicle from their home address to their VA medical appointment.
Did you know that VAPORHCS offers in-person and virtual cooking classes led by a registered dietitian?
If you are looking to build confidence cooking at home while making delicious and nutritious meals, join the next in-person Healthy Teaching Kitchen Basics Class! This 6 week series begins on September 9th from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., weekly on Tuesdays through October 14th.
Call our nutrition scheduling line at (503) 273-5112 to register or visit the nutrition class website for more information on all nutrition groups and classes.
Four days of sustained temperatures over 90-degrees, with two days over 95, and one day hitting 100! Evening low temperatures were also elevated; ranging from the mid to high 60s. The cumulative effect creates risk and one of the populations that we have seeing a disproportionately high rate of heat fatalities in recent years are old, male, Veterans, living alone without air conditioning.
Information about cool spaces, cooling centers and other resources during the hot weather.
08/26/2025
Just because you are traveling doesn't mean you have to suspend your access to health care!
The VA Portland Health Care System wants to ensure your health care is coordinated and seamless. If you know you will be traveling, temporarily relocating (for example, if you live in one state during the winter and another during summer) or permanently relocating, your experience can be enhanced if you contact your VA PACT or specialty care provider(s) four to six weeks before traveling, relocating, or as soon as possible.
If you are seen at an alternate VA health care facility while traveling or relocating, that care will be recorded in your electronic medical record for follow-up treatment options with your PACT. When you contact your PACT, be sure to have the following information available:
• Travel destination(s) and temporary/permanent address(es)
• A valid telephone number
• Arrival and departure dates
• Specific care concerns
For more information, contact your PACT or a Traveling Veteran Coordinator at your local VA facility. To review the kinds of primary care and specialty care offered by the VA Portland Health Care System, visit
VA Portland Health Care System offers a wide range of health, support, and facility services for Veterans in Oregon and southwest Washington. Click on a service below for more details like which clinic or medical center offers that service.
08/22/2025
EXTREME HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 5 AM PDT TUESDAY...
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with high temperatures of 96-103F and overnight low temperatures of 60-70F expected, except low to mid 70s in the Columbia River Gorge.
* WHERE...Greater Portland/Vancouver Metro, Western and Central Columbia River Gorge, the Corbett area and the Hood River Valley, Central and Southern Willamette Valley, Foothills of the Northern and Central Oregon Cascades, Lower Columbia River and Cowlitz River Valleys, and South Washington Cascade Foothills.
* WHEN...From 11 AM this morning to 5 AM PDT Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events, especially for those spending time outdoors or without access to adequate cooling.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Friday and Saturday will be the hottest days. The warmest overnight lows are expected to occur in the Columbia River Gorge and in urban areas from Salem northward.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in a cool place during the heat of the day, stay out of the sunshine, and check up on relatives and neighbors. For those without air conditioning, use fans to keep air
moving. Keeps windows closed during the day and open at night, unless air quality is degraded due to wildfire smoke.
Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.
Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
08/22/2025
In May and June of 2025, Portland VA Military2VA (M2VA) case managers honored more than 260 military Veteran graduates at commencement ceremonies on campuses throughout Washington and Oregon.
Veterans from Central Oregon Community College in Bend, Oregon, to Clark College and Washington State University in Vancouver, Washington—as well as Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and Portland State University in Portland, Oregon—were recognized for their achievements.
Did you know the VA offers two types of identification cards you can use to verify you are a Veteran?
Veteran Identification Card
The Veteran Identification Card (VIC) is a form of photo ID that is available to Veterans not eligible for enrollment and VA health care and may be used to obtain promotional discounts and other services offered to Veterans at many restaurants, hotels, stores, and other businesses.
For more information about the VIC and to apply, visit www.va.gov/records/get-veteran-id-cards/vic/.
Veteran Health Identification Card
VA issues enrolled Veterans a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) for use at VA health care facilities. The VHIC is used as proof of identity and to check-in for appointments at VA health care facilities. While the VHIC is not required to receive health care, VA recommends all enrolled Veterans request one.
To obtain a VHIC: Visit your local VA health care facility and have your photo taken. You will be required to provide one valid photo ID (driver’s license, passport or other federal, state, or local photo ID with your current address). If the address is not on your photo ID, you can provide separate documentation to verify your address. Acceptable address documents include:
• Electric bill
• Cable bill
• Voters Registration card
If you live in the U.S., you should get your VHIC in the mail within 10 business days.
If you live outside the U.S., you should get your VHIC in the mail within 30 business days.
Through the VHIC self-service portal located at https://eauth.va.gov/accessva/
• Select “I am a Veteran” and
• Select the “VHIC” button
Authentication will be required using of the following:
• ID.me
• Login.gov, or
• DS login
To apply for a VHIC when outside of the US and US Territories, complete the following:
On the Verify your Identity screen, select I don’t live in the United States. You will be directed to join a video call with an ID.me a video chat agent. Once routed to the video chat agent, users will need to physically present:
a. Two (2) primary identity documents, OR
b. One (1) primary and (2) at least one secondary identity documents.
ID.me supports international phone numbers for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). There is a drop-down option in MFA to select an international phone number.
A Veteran ID Card (VIC) is a digital form of photo ID you can use to get discounts offered to Veterans at many restaurants, hotels, stores, and other businesses. Find out if you’re eligible for a Veteran ID Card—and how to apply.
08/12/2025
An extreme heat warning remains in effect until 10:00 p.m. tonight (PST).
The National Weather Service forecasts dangerously hot conditions with temperatures of 97 to 102 degrees throughout the greater Portland/Vancouver Metro, Western and Central Columbia River Gorge, the Corbett area and the Hood River Valley, Central and Southern Willamette Valley, and Foothills of the Northern and Central Oregon Cascades through 10:00 p.m. tonight. Overnight conditions will begin to cool on Tuesday night into Wednesday.
The Oregon Department of Human Services and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management are urging all local residents to take steps to protect themselves, their families, and neighbors—especially older adults, young children, people with disabilities, outdoor workers, pregnant people, and those without access to air conditioning.
They also advised residents to be prepared for potential extreme heat. "Prepare to suspend outdoor activities and identify nearby cooling shelters or friends/family with AC," they said.
A Heat Advisory indicates that heat will be dangerous but may not reach warning levels. "Limit time outdoors, especially during the hottest part of the day, and stay in cool spaces as much as possible," the agencies advised.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, and nausea. The recommended action is to move to a cool place, hydrate, and apply cool wet towels. For heat stroke, which is a medical emergency, symptoms include confusion, high body temperature, loss of consciousness, and damp or dry skin. The immediate action is to call 911.
To stay cool and safe, residents can find cooling resources by calling 211 or visiting 211info.org. The agencies also recommend checking on vulnerable people, hydrating frequently, wearing loose, light-colored clothing, and taking cool showers.
High heat also increases fire danger and strains the power grid.
How do you enroll for health care with the Portland VA? There are a number of different ways to join!
Online
Veterans can fill out the application online at www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application/ and electronically submit it to VA for processing. VA will search for your military service information through its electronic information systems and contact you for supporting documents if unable to verify your military service.
By Phone
Veterans can complete applications for enrollment in VA health care by telephone. To apply, call 877-222-VETS (877-222-8387) Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET. VA staff members will collect the necessary information and process the application for an enrollment determination.
By Mail
The application form can be downloaded from www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/. Once completed and signed, mail the form to:
Health Eligibility Center
Enrollment Eligibility Division
PO Box 5207
Janesville, WI 53547-5207
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In November 1921 a hospital for Veterans was opened by the United States Public Health Service in Portland, Oregon.
On May 1, 1922 it was transferred from the Public Health Service to the United States Veterans’ Bureau.
The land for the Portland Campus was donated in 1926 by the regents of the Oregon Health & Science University Hospital after they received the entire Marquam Hill property from Mrs. C.S. Jackson.
The first 15 buildings were completed and dedicated in 1929.
In 1932 the New Administration building was built.
In 1935 building 4 was renovated.
13 temporary (Quonset huts) were added from 1946-48.
In 1948 the Veterans Administration launched a $3 million hospital addition on Marquam Hill in Sam Jackson Park for a seven-story 155 bed tuberculosis hospital. The tuberculosis Hospital, Building 25, was completed in 1949.
In 1955 the Oregon VA Hospitals went through modernization.
The Construction of the U.S. Army Hospital by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was completed in 1940.
The hospital was dedicated and named after General Joseph K. Barnes, MD, Surgeon General in 1941.
Barnes General Hospital opened and the first patient was admitted in 1941.
In 1945 Twenty-Three German Prisoner’s of War (POWs) were transferred to the Barnes General Hospital as a labor battalion.
In 1946 Barnes General Hospital was reduced from 1502 to 100 beds, and the staff was cut from 1056 to 126 staff members. The name was changed to the Vancouver Barracks Station Hospital, as ownership was transferred to the Veterans Administration; opening the doors on August 1, 1946 in Vancouver, Washington.
In 1957 the Vancouver Hospital was separated from the Portland VA Hospital
