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IN ROUGH ECONOMY, MORE VETS SEEK VA HEALTH CARE
--
Many vets, unable to afford insurance, feel
embarrassed to ask
for VA benefits as they've always been the
bread-winner.
Your comments accepted at bottom of
page.
Share story/email link.
-------------------------
by Larry Scott, VA Watchdog
dot Org
A recent headline in The
New York Times trumpeted:
Obama Sees More Pain Now but Hope Later on Economy.
For many veterans, the concept
of "Hope Later" has little meaning.
A look at some of the
headlines on our Sign of the Times
page tells a not-so-pretty story:
VETS' SERVICES DIRECTOR
SEES MORE REQUESTS FOR HELP
(04-04-09)
"They are all turning to this office to find out what other
benefits are available."
 VETS STUNG BY ECONOMY
TURN TO CITY HALLS FOR HELP
(04-02-09)
"We have veterans coming in who were once gainfully employed and now
are on the brink of being homeless."
JOBLESS RATE FOR NEW VETS
HITS 11.2 PERCENT
(03-21-09) The
economic downturn is hitting Iraq and Afghanistan veterans harder
than other workers and may be encouraging some troops to remain in
the service.
VETS PART OF RISE IN
HOMELESS POPULATION
(03-16-09)
Homeless veteran in Dalton, GA never knew he had benefits until he
suffered a stroke and found help at the VA.
VETERANS FACING A NEW
FIGHT - FOR JOBS
(03-16-09) "I apply everywhere, even
KFC. It's been tougher than I thought."
And, there are plenty more.
As veterans, we have always
prided ourselves on service to country and community and family.
Now, with an economy in
shambles, we must reach out to our Brothers and Sisters in need.
First, we must explain that
there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking the VA for what was earned.
VA health care and other benefits are NOT charity ... they were earned ...
the hard way.
Second, we have to go the
extra mile to see if there are other services available of which the
veteran is not aware. This can be as simple as getting the veteran
in need to a VA social worker who knows what is available locally.
Third, if we have to reach
into our wallet ... then we will.
In times like these, we must
leave no veteran behind.
NOTE: Be sure to watch
the video of this story at the link below.
click for more information -- a disabled veteran
owned business
http://www.10news.com/news/19169716/detail.html
Military Vets Find Difficulty
Paying For Health Care
SAN DIEGO -- It's another sign of the current state of the economy
-- more and more military veterans are asking for help.
Judy, a phone operator, is one of the first people military veterans
talk to when they need help, and it seems like the phone is ringing
more often at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in La Jolla.
The staff at the VA hospital said more veterans are calling because
they are finding it tougher to pay for health care because they
either cannot afford it or they lost a job and their benefits.
Richard Randolph of the VA Medical Center said, "Just talking to
veterans everyday, it's rough out there."
Hospital administrators said the vets are looking for a hardship
waiver, which would allow them to qualify for extra medical coverage
from the VA.
Last year, only 42 waiver requests were made.
However, in the first four months of 2009, the VA has already
received more than 120 requests, and officials said there might be a
lot more out there.
"And a lot of them are embarrassed about it and they don't want
people to know," said Linette Baker, chief health administrator at
the VA Medical Center. "They're used to being the bread-winner and
doing what they need to do for our country and for their families
and now they're coming in and they have to admit they can't do it
anymore."
The VA said it could help but only after a vet comes to grips with
the tough economy.
"Don't be afraid to come and ask the basic question, 'Hey, what am I
entitled to?'" said Randolph.
Baker said these veterans are entitled to that care.
"It is very heartbreaking to see that, especially because it's one
of my own, to see that they're having these issues after serving
their country and giving their all," said Baker. |
-------------------------
posted by Larry Scott
Founder and Editor
VA Watchdog dot Org
-------------------------
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