VA expands health care eligibility to millions of Veterans
(March 5, 2024) By Leanna Wells BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — To support more veterans, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs expanded their healthcare eligibility.
According to a recent press release, the expansion comes from the direction of the Biden Administration. The expansion of VA health care eliminates the “phased-in” approach called for by the PACT Act meaning that millions of veterans are now eligible for VA health care up to eight years earlier than written into law.
It’s one of the largest-ever expansions of veteran health care in the past 30 years. All veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards during military service at home or abroad are eligible.
“This is life-changing care for our veterans. There’s an opportunity here for the veterans to be given care that they may not have qualified for, for another 5 to 10 years,” Eric Haycisak, Associate Chief Nurse of Outpatient Services at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center said.
The expansion would include Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, and any other combat zone after 9/11. They are eligible to enroll in VA health care without having to apply for VA benefits first.
“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for our team to serve all those who served us,” James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center Executive Director Dr. Derek Coughenour said.
The healthcare expansion also covers many veterans who never deployed as a part of a conflict but were still exposed to toxins or hazards while serving in the U.S.
To apply and learn more about VA healthcare, Veterans Affairs encourages all eligible veterans to visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 (800-698-2411).
You can also visit the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center or call them at (814) 943-8164 if you need help registering for health care.
Full story here: https://www.wtaj.com/news/local-news/va-expands-health-care-eligibility-to-millions-of-veterans/