Phoenix VA Health Care System partners with VFW at their 124th National Convention
The Phoenix VA Health Care System was proud to be part of the VFW 124th National Convention, which was held in Phoenix July 22 – 27.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dennis McDonough, gave an address July 25 where he thanked all those in attendance for their work and partnership with the VA to get Veterans all the benefits they have earned. Secretary McDonough encouraged everyone to get screened and file a PACT Act claim, and to tell everyone they know to file a PACT Act claim by Aug. 9.
“Everyone who files their claim by Aug. 9 could be eligible to receive compensation back to Aug. 10, 2022, when President Biden signed the PACT Act,” said Secretary McDonough.
The Phoenix Medical Center sent representatives to help provide toxic exposure screening that helped Veterans file their PACT Act claim.
“The partnership that we have the with the VFW is so important,” said Medical Center Director Bryan Matthews. “I want to thank the VFW for allowing us to participate and provide an opportunity for Veterans to utilize the benefits they have earned.”
Every year, for almost a century now, VFW has invited VA to their National Convention, said VFW Executive Director Ryan Gallucci. It is a relationship that began when it was the Veteran’s Administration, and it has grown and evolved over the years in order to meet the needs of today’s Veterans.
“Our relationship with VA is a very strong one,” said Gallucci. “We really are grateful that the Phoenix VA leans forward so much to provide so many resources to the Veterans where it is having a huge impact.”
“I have honestly had nothing but great experiences with the VA in Sierra Vista,” said Gregory Algorri, who was attending the convention as a representative from southern Arizona, and gets his care from the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System. “I can usually get appointments when needed, and the service I receive is great.”
The Phoenix VA Health Care System continued that partnership by sending representatives to the convention to educate Veterans on a variety of programs available to them including Whole Health, Suicide Prevention, MyHealtheVet, and more. There were even representatives there to process eligibility and enrollment, and help Veterans sign up to be part of the Million Veteran Program.
“I was amazed at the support employees in our healthcare system provided at the VFW National Convention,” said Matthews. “Veterans were able to enroll, get their Toxic Exposure Screening, and learn about connected care programs.”
The Phoenix PACT Act team answered questions from more than 270 Veterans from all over the country. They were able to complete toxic exposure screening for 22 of the Arizona Veterans who were present.