VA healtcare update

[danausmc]

Military veterans who have served in combat since Nov. 11,
1998-including veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan-now are
eligible for five years of free medical care through Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. This measure increases the previous
two-year limit and applies to most conditions, VA said in a Feb. 26
statement. The new provision, part of the National Defense Authorization
Act recently signed by President Bush, applies to care in a VA hospital,
outpatient clinic or nursing home. It also extends VA dental
benefits-previously limited to 90 days after discharge for most
veterans-to 180 days. The five-year deadline has no effect upon veterans
with medical conditions related to their military service-vets may apply
at any time after their discharge for medical care for service-connected
health problems. The five-year window also is open to activated
reservists and members of the National Guard if they served in a theater
of combat operations, VA said. "By their service and their sacrifice,
America's newest combat veterans have earned this special eligibility
period for VA's world-class health care," said VA Secretary James Peake.
To see more, go to:
http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pres...se.cfm?id=1454.