Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Health


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Monday, June 15, 2009 at 1:01 PM

Comments (2)     E-mail E-mail article      Print Print view      Share Share

V.A. expands health care eligibility for nondisabled

The Veterans Affairs Department opened the doors of its health care system Monday to about 266,000 nondisabled veterans with moderate incomes, some of whom have been shut out of those benefits.

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON —

The Veterans Affairs Department opened the doors of its health care system Monday to about 266,000 nondisabled veterans with moderate incomes, some of whom have been shut out of those benefits.

The veterans eligible are from a category known as "Priority 8." They have no illnesses or injuries attributed to their military service, and they earn more than the average wage in their communities.

Enrollment previously was denied to them because of a cost-savings move in 2003. Under a new regulation, some, but not all who fall in this category, will now be eligible.

The VA is expanding eligibility by loosening income restrictions. The limit has now been raised from about $29,000 to $32,000, although the amount is also adjusted to take into account the cost of living.

President Barack Obama said while campaigning that he wanted to bring all veterans into the VA's system.

In 1996, Congress ordered the agency to open health care to nearly all veterans, but lawmakers also gave the VA secretary the authority to suspend enrollments.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs committee who has advocated the expansion, praised the move and said she's committed to opening the VA to every veteran.

"This must be just the beginning and not the end of the road to opening the VA to every veteran who serves," Murray said in a statement.

-----

On the Net:

Department of Veterans Affairs site on eligibility: http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility.

Copyright © The Seattle Times Company

More Health headlines...

E-mail E-mail article      Print Print view      Share Share

Comments (2)
At first I didn't know what to make of Sen. Murray, She struck me as a bit odd, but after following what she has done for the benefit for...  Posted on June 23, 2009 at 1:28 PM by insane lithuanian. Jump to comment
WHEN I ENLISTED IN THE MILITARY I WAS NEVER TOLD VA BENEFITS WERE ONLY AVAILABLE IF YOU DONT HAVE AN INCOME.LAST YEAR I APPLIED AND WAS ACCEPTED...  Posted on July 8, 2009 at 10:09 PM by DBASSMANEB3. Jump to comment

advertising


Get home delivery today!

More Health

NEW - 10:53 PM
U.S. House passes health plan

The People's Pharmacy: Solutions for painful breast-feeding

H1N1 vaccine-production method faulted

10 ways to take control of your health

House Dems push for votes to move health-care bill

Advertising

Video

Mourners gather at KeyArena for slain officer's memorial
Mourners gathered at KeyArena for the memorial service of Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton on November 6, 2009.

Procession for slain SPD officer
Election Night: Approve R-71
Election Night: Reject R-71
Election Night: Joe Mallahan
Election Night: Mike McGinn
Election Night: Susan Hutchison
Election Night: Dow Constatine
Candlelight vigil for Officer Brenton
Flying Elephant on Aurora

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising