SPOKANE - The U.S. Veterans Administration is holding a town hall meeting Monday to discuss new changes to its health care delivery system, which could affect an estimated 25,000 veterans in North Idaho.

Brett Bowers, public affairs officer for the Spokane VA, said the meeting is being held to discuss two primary changes in VA health care.

The first, he said, is a temporary change in the way the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane is operated. As of Dec. 1, the emergency department at the center will change from "emergency room care" to an "urgent care" delivery system.

A shortage of physicians has forced the VA to reduce hours from 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The emergency department will no longer accept emergency patients via ambulance.

Bowers said patients with life-threatening medical emergencies that require ambulance transportation, such as heart attack, stroke or trauma, should dial 911 for help.

Depending on the veteran's status, the patient or hospital that treated the emergency would be reimbursed for the cost of ambulance and emergency care.

Veterans, or the hospitals that treat them, need to contact the VA within 72 hours of that care to be reimbursed. (See below for telephone numbers).

"We want to make sure we are meeting the veterans' needs," Bower said.

The VA is urging veterans to check their eligibility status with the agency, and encouraging those currently under care to stay in contact with their primary care teams at the medical center. (See below for telephone numbers).

Veterans in need of mental health services can still talk with the primary mental health team, or the home mental health team at the VA, and the VA crisis and after-hours nursing lines will remain available.

Those with questions are welcome to attend the meeting, which will be held from 3:30-5 p.m. Monday in Building 40, Room 225, at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center, 4815 N. Assembly St., Spokane.

Bowers said the meeting is designed to elicit feedback and input from veterans, family members, congressional stakeholders, veteran service organizations, non-governmental organizations and the public.

The second issue the VA wants to educate veterans on is the new "Veterans Choice Program," Bowers said. The new program will allow veterans to use non-VA health care providers if they are living in rural areas 40 miles or farther from the nearest VA facility or cannot gain access to VA health care within a 30-day period.

"There are people in Shoshone, Benewah and Bonner counties who are eligible," he said, adding that some Kootenai County veterans may be eligible as well. "The last count I saw, there were more than 25,000 veterans living in the Idaho Panhandle.

"We are basically trying to ensure that all veterans have access to health care."

The Choice Cards went to the most potentially eligible veterans in November, but all veterans enrolled in VA health care should receive one in the months of December and January. The VA is encouraging veterans to keep the cards even if they are not eligible in case they become eligible in the future.

Details of that program and more will be discussed at the town hall meeting, Bowers said.

Designated parking for the event will be located in the main parking area of the hospital. Access to the meeting can be gained through the main lobby or the north entry doors into Building 40. A shuttle from the parking area will be available for veterans and guests who need assistance to either entry.

• Contact numbers for veterans

Here is a list of contact numbers for veterans who need to take advantage of the new medical service provided by the VA in Spokane and North Idaho:

* Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center (509) 434-7000

* Emergency care reimbursement (509) 434-7010

* Enrollment or eligibility (509) 434-7009

* Primary care team (509) 434-7026

* Primary mental health team (509) 434-7026

* Mental health home team (509) 434-7013

* Eligibility for Veteran's Choice Card (866) 606-8198

* Veteran's crisis line (800) 237-8255

* VA national nursing line (888) 838-6446 (after 4 p.m.)

* VA health care employment opportunities (509) 434-7389