More Priority For Oif Oef Vets

[jamescripps2]

The backlog at this time stands at 800,000. Add these 567,000 new OIF and OEF vets to the front of the backlog. Do you see the problem that I see? But who gives a damm anymore, just crawl back in your fox hole, pull your poncho back over your head and prepare to wait on another lifetime, or choose to do your part in contacting the right people, it only takes a few moments.

VA TO CALL ALL "NEW VETS" AND NOTIFY THEM OF AVAILABLE

BENEFITS -- Outreach targets OEF / OIF veterans only. VA Secretary

Peake: "We will reach out...to let them know we are here for them."

This new program is proof positive that veterans of service prior to OEF / OIF (Afghanistan and Iraq) are just "Old and in the Way."

The VA is giving priority healthcare to the new vets. They get first priority when it comes to claims.

Now, the VA will be calling them and telling them of their benefits.

This is a callous political move to make the public think that our politicians "Support our Troops."

But, the 570,000 vets mentioned in the press release below represent a little more than 2% of the veteran population.

What about the other 98%? Are they going to get calls to let them know about their benefits, too? Don't count on it.

Older vets are waiting in long lines for care and for rulings on disability claims. Many of them don't even know they have benefits because the VA has never told them.

I hope our service organizations jump into this with both feet. If they don't stand up to defend their members, almost all of whom served prior to OEF / OIF, then they should turn in their cute little caps and admit that they are powerless to help their membership.

VA press release here...

http://www.vawatchdog.org/08/vap08/vap042408-1.htm

Press release below:

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VA Calling All Recent Combat Vets

April 24, 2008

Nearly 570,000 to be Reached by New Call Center

WASHINGTON – On May 1, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will begin contacting nearly 570,000 recent combat veterans to ensure they know about VA’s medical services and other benefits.

“We will reach out and touch every veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom to let them know we are here for them,” said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “VA is committed to getting these veterans the help they need and deserve.”

A contractor-operated “Combat Veteran Call Center” will telephone two distinct populations of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan.

In the first phase, calls will go to an estimated 17,000 veterans who were sick or injured while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. VA will offer to appoint a care manager to work with them if they don’t have one already. Care managers ensure veterans receive appropriate care and know about their VA benefits.

Article continues below:

For five years after their discharge from the military, these combat veterans have special access to VA health care. The Department screens combat veterans for signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. VA personnel have been deployed to the military’s major medical centers to assist wounded service members and their families during the transition to civilian lives.

For the new call center, the second phase will target 550,000 OIF-OEF veterans who have been discharged from active duty but have not contacted VA for services.

Once contacted, veterans will be informed about VA’s benefits and services. The initial calls will be made by a private contractor, EDS, which specializes in technology “We will leave no stone unturned to reach these veterans,” said Dr. Edward Huycke, chief of the Veterans Affairs - Department of Defense coordination office.

[Ricky]

James - this is the same post you provided in the "time to regain equity" post. It is an important issue and one that needs to be addressed here and with the government but lets keep it to one thread if we could. Thanks