Amid concerns about blast exposure, VA launches new outreach campaign to enroll Veterans in health care.
VA Press Release December 4, 2024 news.va.gov/press-room/amid-concerns-about-blast-exposure-va-launches-new-outreach-campaign-to-enroll-veterans-in-health-care/
VA is launching a new outreach campaign to encourage all eligible Veterans to enroll in VA health care – including approximately 1 million unenrolled Veterans who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
VA is launching this campaign after reports of concerns from Veterans about health issues – including mental health challenges and thoughts of suicide – potentially related to repeated blasts and head trauma (low-level artillery blasts, IEDs, missile launches, heavy fire, and more). VA researchers have been urgently studying this matter to learn more about the potential health impacts of blast exposure on Veterans.
Veterans enrolled in VA can access specialty screenings and services to address any health issues related to blast exposure. Importantly, Veterans who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and other specific locations are eligible for VA health care based on their deployments — they do not need to have any health conditions specifically associated with their service in order to be eligible for care.
While VA continues to urgently conduct research into the impact of blast exposure, Veterans are encouraged to apply for VA care today. Veterans who use VA health care have better health outcomes than non-enrolled Veterans, VA hospitals are dramatically outperforming non-VA hospitals, and VA health care is often more affordable than non-VA health care for Veterans. Additionally, 92% of Veteran patients currently report trusting VA outpatient health care – an all-time high.
“… we are studying this matter urgently to learn more about potential health impacts,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “While we do that, we don’t want Veterans to wait – they should enroll in VA health care today to get full access to primary care, mental health care, regular screenings, specialty care, and more.”
VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, M.D. “The more Veterans who enroll, the more we can learn about the impact of blast exposure – and the better care we can ultimately provide those who served.”
Earlier this year, VA made all Veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards (and meet basic requirements) eligible to enroll directly in VA health care.
Holiday Reminder: Lake County Veterans Services will have limited availability from December 23, 2024, to January 3, 2025. While the office will remain open, appointments will be limited. Please leave a voicemail or email, and we will respond as quickly as possible.
Brad Anderson and Melissa Crandall are the Lake County Veterans Service Officers and can be reached at 218.834.8326 or cvso@co.lake.mn.us Karen Christianson is the Cook County Veterans Service Officer and can be reached at 218.387.3639, or karen.christianson@co.cook.mn.us
