The United States Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that all World War II Veterans are now eligible for no-cost VA health care, medical services, and nursing home care.

All WWII Veterans who served between Dec. 7, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946, are eligible under this expansion, regardless of their length of service or financial status. These veterans will not have to pay copays, enrollment fees, or monthly premiums. The VA is reaching out by phone and mail to encourage WWII Veterans who are not currently enrolled in VA care to apply today. Veterans who enroll may also keep their private providers, Medicare, and most other insurance to meet their health care needs.

“These members of The Greatest Generation answered the call to serve when our nation – and the world – needed them most. Now, it’s our job to serve them in every way that we can,” said VA Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Shereef Elnahal. “We are proud to provide world-class, no-cost health care to these heroes at the VA, and we encourage all of them to enroll today.”

All WWII Veterans are encouraged to enroll in VA health care – the most-affordable health care in America for veterans. Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care are proven to have better health outcomes than non-enrolled veterans, and VA hospitals have dramatically outperformed non-VA hospitals in overall quality ratings and patient satisfaction ratings. Veterans who were not approved for VA health care in the past due to income limits should apply again; income levels no longer apply due to this expansion.

The VA cannot automatically enroll these veterans in health care; WWII Veterans must apply for VA health care if they are not currently enrolled. This expansion is made possible through the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2022 (Cleland-Dole Act), signed in December 2022.

Contact Charles Mix County Veterans Service Officer, Jerry Seiner, if you need assistance with enrollment or have any questions. Office hours are 8:00 to 4:30 Monday and Tuesday and 8:00 to 12:00 on Wednesday. The office phone number is 605-4877691 or cell at 605-481-1338.