One Million US Veterans Eligible for Health Care Should Enroll: VA

Published Dec 05, 2024 at 11:49 AM EST

A U.S. veteran standing in front of an American flag. Veterans who are not yet enrolled for VA health care are being urged to do so.

By Aliss Higham

US News Reporter

The Department of Veterans Affairs is launching an outreach program encouraging all eligible veterans to enroll in VA health care.

The VA will be sending text messages and emails directly to veterans and use public service announcements, paid advertising and events to encourage enrollment in VA health care. This coverage includes a range of medical services, including regular checkups, appointments with specialists, geriatric care and medical equipment.

According to a release issued by the department on Wednesday, the outreach is focused on an estimated 1 million veterans who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan and are not currently registered for VA health care.

"That's what this outreach effort is all about: getting Veterans in our care, because Veterans who come to VA are proven to do better," VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in the release.

"VA aims to be the best, most accessible, and most affordable health system in America for Veterans, and we are constantly looking for ways to improve that care as science and research tells us about new concerns," VA Undersecretary for Health Shereef Elnahal said.

How do I apply for VA health care?

Applying for VA health care can be done online via the VA website. You will need your Social Security number, military service history or DD214, and income information.

Eligible for health benefits are those who served at least 24 months of active military, naval, or air service after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981. This does not apply to those who have received a dishonorable discharge.

There are exceptions to this minimum period, including:

• Anyone who served in the Vietnam War

• You were discharged due to a disability caused or aggravated by your active-duty service

• You were discharged for hardship or under an "early out" provision, or

• Your service occurred before September 7, 1980

For the full eligibility criteria, see the VA website.

The outreach plan is part of a broader program authorized by the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which President Joe Biden approved in 2022.

The act covers the expansion of health care benefits for U.S. veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances dating back to the Vietnam War through to the post-9/11 era.

The VA said the campaign has resulted in over 835,000 veterans enrolling in VA health care and more than 900,000 veterans upgrading their priority groups and qualifying for health care with reduced copays.

https://www.concernedveteransoh.org/post/one-million-us-veterans-eligible-for-health-care-should-enroll-va