I have addressed this issue before but feel it is important to discuss it again. 

The issue is, getting VA healthcare. Many veterans joined the military out of high school, say at age 18, did their two or three years, and then got out. Most didn’t see combat, most didn’t even leave the states. After they got out, they got on with their lives, making a living, raising a family, and their military experience becomes a distant memory. If they are fortunate, they have health insurance, so their healthcare is taken care of ... until it isn’t or it isn’t enough.

For veterans from the Vietnam era or earlier, going to the VA wasn’t something you would consider back then. The VA had a reputation, well deserved, that it was the place you go if there was nowhere else to go, or worse, afraid to go at all. I personally think that the VA started its transformation after 9/11. We were proud of our military and we wanted the best for them. We heard about veterans not being taken care of appropriately, veterans waiting over a year to be seen, some dying while waiting. These stories received national attention and Congress took action. Money and other resources where appropriated. Solid VA leadership was put into place, and the VA started to the process of becoming recognized as one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Nationally recognized studies of the healthcare industry place VA Maine as one of the best Hospital, VA and non-VA, with a 4-star overall rating from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Ratings are based on mortality, safety, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. If you don’t trust the data, just ask veterans who use VA Maine. But, many of the older generation veterans still remember the old VA. As a result, less than half of the eligible veterans are enrolled in VA healthcare. Some like the insurance they have and/or their primary care doctor and don’t want to give them up. They don’t know, or they don’t trust what they hear, you don’t give up what you have, you add to it. 

As I stated earlier, you don’t know what you are missing until you realize your current healthcare provider can’t provide all the care you need. Or, what you had was great when you had an income but after you retire, it just isn’t enough. The point is, you need to talk to the VA to find out. See Ed Harmon or myself if you want to investigate your VA eligibility. The sooner the better!  

This year’s Post 36 community Yard Sale and Craft Fair is on Oct. 5! The reschedule from the August date has only added more “stuff” to sell and will make this year’s yard sale the biggest ever.  Crafters and Yard Sellers, call or email Dave Patch or Tom Moroney so we can add you to the list.