VA benefits, must have had my head in the sand.

Nurses General Nursing

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My husband was visiting a good freind at the VA hospital. He brought home some literature he picked up while he was there. When my husband got out of the Marines in 1968 any veteran could get care at the VA. It was always comforting to me to know that if he couldn't work and didn't have insurance he at least he could get health care there. Some where along the line congress passed laws so restrictive that there is no way he could qualify for care now. Yes, if he lost his job and his insurence and had a catastrophic illness we would eventually fall into the income group that would qualify him. But that would be after we burned thru most out savings and were staring dow the barrel of going bankrupt, probably would be losing our home to boot. Geeze, when did this happen, how did I miss it, where were the Veterns associations when this was all going down? How did the VFW ever allow this? If the income allowance I am looking at are correct you have to be close to destitute to qualify, like $28,000 for a family of four is the cut off. Of couse they take massive medical expenses into consideration but the idea to me was use the VA to avoid having massive medical expenses in the first place. I hope I am misunderstanding please somebody tell me I am misunderstanding.

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This happened around the time that I retired and "qualified" for VA benefits. I don't know how it came about, all I know is that although I am subject to recall to active duty until normal retirement age, one of the benefits I was promised when I enlisted so long ago is now gone. Rest assured, though, that all members of Congress have access to public funded healthcare when they "retire". I am certain of that. Don't even have to look that one up.

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This happened around the time that I retired and "qualified" for VA benefits. I don't know how it came about, all I know is that although I am subject to recall to active duty until normal retirement age, one of the benefits I was promised when I enlisted so long ago is now gone. Rest assured, though, that all members of Congress have access to public funded healthcare when they "retire". I am certain of that. Don't even have to look that one up.
Thank you for your service to your country. My apologies for what they did to you. If people like me had not been asleep at the switch they would have never got away with it. Where was all the outrage of the right wing types then?
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I don't think there is much outrage when it comes to vets.

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VA benefits can be complex. However the bottom line is military service has never meant automatic coverage to free full healthcare for life. My husband was wounded in Viet Nam. He has received excellent health care benefits through the VA. I just can't agree that the VA, or even the politicians, have not given alot to veterans. I would agree that all veterans need much better explanations of their benefits, (or lack of), after they are discharged.

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VA benefits can be complex. However the bottom line is military service has never meant automatic coverage to free full healthcare for life. My husband was wounded in Viet Nam. He has received excellent health care benefits through the VA. I just can't agree that the VA, or even the politicians, have not given alot to veterans. I would agree that all veterans need much better explanations of their benefits, (or lack of), after they are discharged.

problem is, at discharge, you get your"DD214", and told that you will need it to apply for any benefits...they just don't mention that they just might disappear before you need them:lol2:

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I receive nothing through the VA.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

My husband was in the Air Force for 23 years. I was in the USN for 3 yrs. Although we are both registered for VA care, we live far from any VA facility and of course make way too much money.

However, as a retiree, my husband does have Tricare which is our secondary insurance. Once we become eligible for Medicare, then Tricare becomes our secondary as well as our part D (pharmacy) program. We will be in good shape - fingers crossed.

However, as the OP pointed out: things change. Who knows what the future will bring.

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No matter how much you have or you make, a vet can be treated for any condition that is service connected at any time.

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Specializes in CVICU.

My husband and I both work for the VA and are both veterans. My husband receives his care here related to service connected health problems.

All veterans can receive care at the VA. The VA will have you fill out some paperwork called a 'means test', which essentially assesses your income level, your insurance and your level of service connection to any health issues you have. The VA will file with your insurance if you have it; you may have a co-pay based on your income just like at any other hospital. Anyway, check with the VA directly. Take your DD214 and fill out the paperwork. You may be surprised at what is covered.

And, thank your husband for his service. My dad did his time in Viet Nam as well. He gets care at the VA related to Agent Orange exposure and uses an OSH for his other care.

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

I'm a vet. I was able to get care from the VA when I was in nursing school. I had my appendix out there. I served for 3 years (and am now going back active as an RN!!). I did not expect free care. I stood in line for sick call with a hot appi and i was grateful they would see me (the triage nurse realized what I had going on and bumped me up.). It would have financially crippled me at the time. A student with no medical coverage and a family. I made too much for any welfare support, but not enough for insurance. I don't know what I would have done without the VA. I haven't used them since I got insurance. To me, it was my failsafe. I'm sorry to see it isn't anymore for our vets.

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Specializes in NICU Transport/NICU.
Thank you for your service to your country. My apologies for what they did to you. If people like me had not been asleep at the switch they would have never got away with it. Where was all the outrage of the right wing types then?

Way to turn this into a political debate. By the way, shouldn't it be "OUR Country?"

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