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A
ccording to kqed.org there are 1.8 million Veterans (5% of the state’s population) residing in California. About 25% of the state’s Veteran population utilize VA health care while roughly 70% of the state’s Veterans utilize community care (outside VA health care) to get their health
needs met while roughly 5% are uninsured or have no access to health care. The Veterans Administration has established services that provide health care for Veterans called TRICARE or the Veterans care program where all Veterans who have an honorable discharge are considered covered under the health care laws. Also, if Veterans have experienced an injury or disability caused by their military service, they are eligible to be treated for that condition by the VA for free. Moreover, if the Veteran’s disability or injury is severe enough where it impacts their daily living, the VA could rate the Veteran at least 50% disabled or compensation benefits, where all medical care will be free of charge. There’s also an online service called My Healthy Vet (www.myheathevet.gov) where (once) enrolled or vested in VA medical services, Veterans can schedule appointments online, refill prescriptions, view their health records, and send secure messages to their support team using the online service. If you’re a Veteran or know of a Veteran who is in need of health care and is interested in becoming vested in VA health care benefits, and could potentially qualify for VA compensation benefits based on your military experience (physical and mental health) call the VA appointment scheduling line at (877) 251-7295 for further details. Keith Holmes, AMFT (KQED—K is the call letter used by West Coast stations — and Q.E.D is a acronym for the Latin phrase quod erat demonstrandum, used at the end of arguments to mean "thus it has been demonstrated." )
