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<blockquote data-quote="klmno" data-source="post: 369332" data-attributes="member: 3699"><p>Thanks, Susie! </p><p></p><p>Regarding benefits, I never did qualify for VA before due to the time period I served. A couple of years ago, I was advocating for all vets to have access to VA providers in time periods when we aren't at war and the VA has openings but that peace time vets would have to pay or have private insurance cover the cost. I think their medical care is better than what you find in the private, outpatient setting because they get to the root of the problem quicker. And they have better mental health care providers, especially for PTSD. I couldn't see the logic in being a vet and not being able to take an available appointment at a VA medical center if I was willing to pay for it.</p><p></p><p>Anyway, the law changed last year and that is why I can get health care there right now, however, I will not be able to get care there the rest of my life. I was told that so many vets (like so many others) were currently unemployed, homeless, and couldn't get medical care because states and local jurisdictions all across the country cut out so much medical and mental health care. Apparently the current administration got frustrated about this but can't force state governments to change it so decided that they can at least help all vets in this situation by opening up access to VA care if they were unemployed or had an income way below the poverty line. The administration also got frustrated over what many states were using their stimulus funds on (not enough going to help those in need and stimulate the job market), so some funds got diverted and went to VA to hire more people and have more resources in order to accommodate the increased number of vets getting care thru them. IOW, the VA is doing what they really wanted to see local government agencies do- use the funding to hire people that can help people get back on their feet- instead of cutting jobs in fields that people needed most and using the money in areas that don't help people or the job market as much. Being that the VA is federal, they could accomplish this. </p><p></p><p>The lady at the eligibility office said that this is all just part of the stimilus package and that this sort of "opening up" services was what the president's administration intended for states to use their stimulus funding on in order to help all those in hardship situations due to the economy, but the states are not doing that for the most part. Thus, the arguing and saga over economy, funding, and health care continues in Washington. She said if nothing else, people should be happy about the thousands of jobs created by the VA and the fact that they are taking care of vets, freeing up some spots in the few remaining helpful agencies the local governments have. And the cost came out of federal funds, not local funds.</p><p></p><p>The people like me who only qualify due to a hardship must reapply every year. Once I'm employed again and my income is above the poverty line, I will not be able to get health care thru them anymore. That's fine though- I'm thankful I can at least get services there now.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="klmno, post: 369332, member: 3699"] Thanks, Susie! Regarding benefits, I never did qualify for VA before due to the time period I served. A couple of years ago, I was advocating for all vets to have access to VA providers in time periods when we aren't at war and the VA has openings but that peace time vets would have to pay or have private insurance cover the cost. I think their medical care is better than what you find in the private, outpatient setting because they get to the root of the problem quicker. And they have better mental health care providers, especially for PTSD. I couldn't see the logic in being a vet and not being able to take an available appointment at a VA medical center if I was willing to pay for it. Anyway, the law changed last year and that is why I can get health care there right now, however, I will not be able to get care there the rest of my life. I was told that so many vets (like so many others) were currently unemployed, homeless, and couldn't get medical care because states and local jurisdictions all across the country cut out so much medical and mental health care. Apparently the current administration got frustrated about this but can't force state governments to change it so decided that they can at least help all vets in this situation by opening up access to VA care if they were unemployed or had an income way below the poverty line. The administration also got frustrated over what many states were using their stimulus funds on (not enough going to help those in need and stimulate the job market), so some funds got diverted and went to VA to hire more people and have more resources in order to accommodate the increased number of vets getting care thru them. IOW, the VA is doing what they really wanted to see local government agencies do- use the funding to hire people that can help people get back on their feet- instead of cutting jobs in fields that people needed most and using the money in areas that don't help people or the job market as much. Being that the VA is federal, they could accomplish this. The lady at the eligibility office said that this is all just part of the stimilus package and that this sort of "opening up" services was what the president's administration intended for states to use their stimulus funding on in order to help all those in hardship situations due to the economy, but the states are not doing that for the most part. Thus, the arguing and saga over economy, funding, and health care continues in Washington. She said if nothing else, people should be happy about the thousands of jobs created by the VA and the fact that they are taking care of vets, freeing up some spots in the few remaining helpful agencies the local governments have. And the cost came out of federal funds, not local funds. The people like me who only qualify due to a hardship must reapply every year. Once I'm employed again and my income is above the poverty line, I will not be able to get health care thru them anymore. That's fine though- I'm thankful I can at least get services there now. [/QUOTE]
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