Lebanon VA encourages vets to use expanded health care eligibility

The Lebanon VA Medical Center is encouraging Veterans to apply for health care under new eligibility requirements that went into effect Oct. 1.

The expansion comes after President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act into law on Aug. 10, authorizing the expansion of health care and benefits.

“This expansion will bring generations of new Veterans into VA health care, and increase the health care benefits of many more, which will result in the one outcome that matters most: better health outcomes for Veterans,” said Robert W. Callahan Jr. in a press release.

“I highly encourage these Veterans to apply now for the health care they’ve earned and deserve.”

The expansion targets a number of groups.

Vietnam-era veterans are now eligible as follows:

• Service in the Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975.
• Service in Thailand at any U.S. or Royal Thai base between Jan. 9, 1962, and June 30, 1976.
• Service in Laos between Dec. 1, 1965, and Sept. 30, 1969.
• Service in certain provinces in Cambodia between April 16, 1969, and April 30, 1969.
• Service in Guam or American Samoa (or their territorial waters) between Jan. 9, 1962, and July 30, 1980.
• Service in Johnston Atoll (or a ship that called there) between Jan. 1, 1972, and Sept. 30, 1977.

The expansion also includes Gulf War veterans and a one-year enrollment period for those who meet the following criteria:

• Served on active duty in a theater of combat operations during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War or served in a combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities after Nov. 11, 1998.
• Discharged or released between Sept. 11, 2001, and Oct. 1, 2013.

More information about eligibility is available by visiting the VA’s website or calling the enrollment hotline at (717) 228-6000.