The American Legion is pushing for a significant expansion of the healthcare systems administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.
In resolutions adopted by members of its National Executive Committee, the nation's largest veterans service organization strongly reiterated its longstanding positions affecting the funding of VA healthcare and extending its coverage to veterans' family members.
The group favors “allowing Medicare reimbursement for VA as a realistic healthcare coverage for enrolled, Medicare-eligible veterans seeking treatment of non-service-connected medical conditions in VA healthcare facilities," the resolution reads.
Legion officials say this would not only benefit a greater number of veterans, but provide the VA with an alternative revenue stream. The Legion is also encouraging Congress to "allow all eligible veterans, dependents and beneficiaries, especially those who are either uninsured or underinsured, to enroll in the VA's integrated healthcare delivery system."
In its resolution, adopted during the organization's annual convention meeting this week in Louisville, Ky., The American Legion emphasized that it considers the VA healthcare system "the best care anywhere."
The Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki, is expected to discuss the Legion resolution with the Legion's National Commander, David K. Rehbein, when the two meet Aug. 25.
The Department of Defense's Medical Healthcare System (MHS) was the subject of another, similar Legion resolution. The Legion favors its expansion and "supports healthcare reform that assures all active-duty service members, members of the Reserve components, military retirees to include Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA) and Chapter 61 retirees, and their families, especially those who are uninsured or underinsured, have timely access to quality healthcare within DoD's Medical Health System."
Each of the resolutions concludes with an admonition to not absorb either the veterans' or military healthcare systems into any national healthcare reform program.
Photo obtained under Creative Commons license - Ed.