Veterans testifying recently at a congressional listening session in Fairbanks, Alaska said the 2014 law to reform the Veterans Administration health care system has only made things worse in Alaska. The program allows veterans across the nation to seek treatment at clinics and hospitals outside of the VA system if they face waits of more than 30 days or live more than 40 miles away from a VA facility. But the veterans who testified said they have been met with denials of service, long delays for the VA to pay claims and confusing, automated telephone calls when they want answers. Testimonies from the hearing are available on the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs website at www.veterans.senate.gov/hearings/ak-field-hearing-08252015.
For more on veteran benefits, visit the Military.com Benefits Center.
