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Cooper University Hospital Announces Priority Program For Veterans

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Veterans will go to the front of the line at a New Jersey health care system.

Cooper University Health Care in Camden on Tuesday announced a priority program for men and women who have served in the armed forces. It will provide veterans with same-day service for primary care visits and also health-care navigators for veterans.

Hospital officials want other health systems to follow their model.

Cooper chairman George Norcross says the health system will provide care first and worry about payments later, likely absorbing some of the costs.

A recent report found veterans wait an average of 43 days for initial primary care visits at Veterans Administration facilities in Philadelphia and 25 days in northern New Jersey.

The VA has come under fire for how it has served vets.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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