Washington Roundup: Gillibrand prods Veterans Administration on outreach
Veterans would have better access to health care and benefits under a bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, requiring the Veterans Administration and the Defense Department to develop a universal medical records system to provide for a seamless transition of information.
Using Memorial Day as a backdrop, Ms. Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said her Providing Real Outreach to Veterans (PRO-VETS) Act "would place the responsibility of informing veterans of the benefits they are eligible for in the hands of the VA (by requiring) the VA to send all appropriate materials to veterans (to) prevent more veterans from falling through the cracks."
Of the 24,312 veterans on Staten Island, 20,432 are not currently receiving VA health care, according to VA data.
Statewide, the senator said there are approximately 1 million veterans, with more than 720,000 not receiving health care benefits from the VA.
The Gillibrand bill also would require the Defense Department to give exiting service members an assessment of their benefits eligibility, streamline the application process for them and provide them with a VA identification card, as well as information on the nearest VA facilities.
In addition, the bill would automatically enroll exiting service members in VA-sponsored health care. Ms. Gillibrand noted that veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan are automatically eligible for up to five years of free VA health care, but said many never claim the benefit.
