Coming back to Escalon for another visit, the VA Mobile Medical Outreach Team will be in town next week. In cooperation with the Escalon American Legion Gustafson-Thompson Post 263 and the American Legion Riders Post 263, the mobile clinic will roll in to the American Legion Hall, 1531 Second St., Escalon on Thursday, Aug. 29 to help meet veterans’ medical health needs.

Hours for the outreach clinic are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and no appointment is necessary.

A medical team, Veterans Services officers, and enrollment specialists will be on site. The VA Palo Alto Health Care system Mobile Medical Outreach Team will provide examinations, consultations, and referrals. Adaptive telephone equipment will be issued to those with hearing and/or visual impairments. Organizers said if you are uncertain about your eligibility for medical or mental health services, members of the team can provide you with information and assistance with eligibility and enrollment for VA care.

The clinic is open to all veterans throughout the region, and organizers hope to draw from Escalon, Farmington, Oakdale, Riverbank, Ripon and beyond.

VA health care may complement your current medical coverage. Eligibility requirements have changed, therefore, if you have been denied in the past, you are encouraged to come and meet with officials on site. New benefits are available for Vietnam and Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans. If you are not currently in the VA system, bring an extra copy of your DD214 (discharge papers) to attach to your enrollment form. Also bring a copy of your list of medications for the doctor to review.

Additionally, Veterans Services officers will be on site to assist with filing disability claims and checking status of existing ones. The California Telephone Access Program reps will hand out free phones to eligible vets.

For more information, contact VA Rural Outreach Coordinator Valerie Gabriel at 209-588-2604 or Mark Sward at 209-573-0970.