Nearly 60% of all veterans are eligible for VA health care services, yet less than half of those eligible veterans use VA health benefits, according to a RAND study. As such, AARP Idaho will host a telephone town hall with the Idaho Division of Veterans Services to help with access and information. Bill Heyob, Bureau Chief and State Service Officer with the Office of Veterans Advocacy and retired United States Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant Tom Ressler, AARP Idaho Executive Council Member, will be available to answer questions.
Both experts will discuss benefits veterans have earned and explain who qualifies and how to access those earned benefits, including the recently passed Patient-Aligned Care Teams (PACT) Act. The discussion will also include information regarding the Vietnam Veteran Healing Wall in Meridian on June 29, 2023.
“Since its passage last summer, the PACT Act has provided new benefits and services to more than 5 million Vietnam, Gulf War and post 9/11 veterans,” said Lupe Wissel, AARP Idaho state director. “There are still so many questions about the new benefits and services and unfortunately, it is also being used in scams targeting veterans who are now eligible for these benefits. This call will be a great resource about how to apply for benefits while staying protected against PACT Act scams.”
The statewide town hall is scheduled for Wednesday, June 21 and begins at noon MT.
Participants can join by:
- dialing toll-free 866-767-0637
- registering in advance at https://vekeo.com/aarpidaho/
- streaming live on AARP Idaho Facebook page.
For more information and other resources for veterans, visit www.aarp.org/veterans.
