In the past year, over 2,000 West Virginia veterans have been successfully enrolled in VA health care, resulting in a 23 percent increase from previous years. This growth can be attributed to the expansions in the PACT Act, which have allowed the VA to provide health care and benefits to millions of veterans.
VA Secretary Denis McDonough emphasized the importance of enrolling in VA health care, stating that veterans who utilize VA services experience better health outcomes and lower costs compared to those who do not. The VA has engaged in an aggressive outreach campaign over the past year, hosting events, sending millions of texts, and advertising extensively to encourage veteran enrollment.
Effective March 5, 2024, all veterans who were exposed to hazards while serving in the military and meet specific requirements are eligible to enroll directly in VA health care. Nationally, enrollment rates saw a 30 percent increase last year, marking the highest number of yearly enrollees at the VA in at least five years and nearly a 50 percent jump from 2020’s pandemic-level enrollment. Appalachia Health News reported on these positive developments in veteran enrollment in VA health care.
