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American Legion Deputy Director Jacob Gadd on efforts to make sure veterans receive the health-care benefits they are eligible for.
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In focus tonight veterans' health care.
You know it's a popular assumption that after defending our country veterans are automatically given the care they need.
But that's not necessarily the case a new survey finds 10% of veterans do not have health care.
With more on this -- -- deputy director for health care with The American Legion.
Thanks for joining us so let's get right to -- I think -- is a critically important topic one out of ten that's under 65.
Don't have health care how it was off.
Well American Asian is that 2.2 million servicemen deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
And of those one point two million have returned home.
However only half of those are actually -- Currently in the DA today.
Wow so are.
Is anything being done about this I think to me -- -- shouldn't -- -- coverage.
-- VA has combat veteran eligibility.
Program.
So after a veteran comes out of service have five years from their data their discharge.
To come into the VA and -- care is provided cost free for any conditions.
Potentially related to their service.
And so that that's helped.
-- -- that that we found that many veterans aren't aware of their benefits as they transition.
When you commence the military you get its twelve week boot camp -- when you leave the military you're only given a three day transition assistance program class.
Which is a lot to cover in three days and so the president has proposed a reverse boot camp.
Which will help improve outreach and ensuring that veterans know what their benefits that they're entitled to our.
You know I read that a lot of people -- I don't know about it they don't understand what their eligible for.
And and you mentioned it's going to be a program in place to help with that but it seems to me this is just unbelievably unfair after all these people have.
Given so much for our country.
How our people responding to this with your reaction out there as you talk to people.
Right.
Well The American Legion believes that -- veterans should be -- that you realize.
The VA for their health care.
And our nation has obligation to care for our men and women who -- the battle and and returned home with injuries and illnesses.
Because of their service.
If their service connected injuries those conditions should be covered.
But The American Legion -- -- -- says that.
If they don't have service connection that they bring their private assurances.
To cover those I cared that -- is system that was designed.
To meet veterans unique needs through their service that -- the private sector is not accustomed to treating.
I wouldn't -- you want to a slightly different topic and that's the problem for that's trying to find jobs after their service.
And this is just been a big problem for a long time now a new survey by Monster Worldwide finding that.
Twenty only 29%.
Less than a third -- -- are confident they'll find suitable civilian work.
What are we do about this.
Well we know -- veterans are unemployed that they don't have insurance through those companies and there -- rest of fallen through the cracks in.
And essentially lead into homelessness.
And the DA has a number of programs.
It's and their income level is slow and there -- at risk the need to come into the VA and you know asked to be evaluated.
These -- You know they're not having -- job -- well.
I think that's great advice so called MBA if you're having problems you're bad you're looking for a job you're not sure where it turned there is help out there for you listen thanks so much for coming on.
And I appreciate your information on this issue it's something I'd like to track for awhile thank you so much.
You're welcome thank you very much for.
Are right look.
