>>>In any case since all of us here are veterans and eligible for VA care what are you all bitching about anyway?

It is entirely possible, no, let me say probable, that a non-wounded, non-decorated, non-service connected disability veteran (clarification per Roy's post - a veteran who didn't stay in long enough to retire) will hit a shut window at VA - they are so swamped with Iraq and Afghanistan vets in many places in the country and just can't accept any more clients.

Some time ago someone posted the VA's announcement of a major community clinic and hospital building program, but that was going to take a few years to come online 100%.

Also, a couple of years back, the matrix of priority group and co-pay underwent a major change - I don't recall all of the details because I established my eligibility right after I retired out. 

But a lot of non-retiree vets I know in this area can't even get their VA ID card because they have too much income (yes, Virginia, Social Security $$, military retirement $$, private retirement plan $$ all  count in that calculation!).

One of the major changes in the so-called "means test" was instead of a set income threshold that applied nationwide, the VA established various levels by zip code based upon BLS numbers - which means the amount of allowable income is higher in high cost-of-living areas.

Another major hurdle change was that the VA added a new priority level (I think priority 8 - the absolute lowest) and many vets, even from the Viet Nam era can't qualify under the new limitations unless they received a decoration or a service-connected disability - which you need to have the DAV in your corner when you start that process!

Back to the original post for a second, I wonder if you mean Medicaid instead of Medigap? One of the hazards of being retired is that I watch too much C-SPAN, but if I recall correctly out of the blizzard of political BS that I've seen in the past few weeks, the "overhaul" includes medicaid - federal $$ allocated to individual states to administer, not medigap - which has already been described correctly - a private plan that covers the difference (20% plus some other neat little features) that Medicare A and B do not cover. My wife has AARP and it is underwritten by United Healthcare.

Here is the VA website blurb on a recent change:

Changes to the Priority Group 8 Enrollment Restriction

In order to ensure the availability of quality and timely health care to veterans with service connected conditions, special authority based on military service, low income, and those with special health care needs, in January 2003 VA made the difficult decision to stop enrolling new Priority Group 8 (high income) veterans whose income exceeded VA Income Thresholds.

The new regulations went into effect on June 15, 2009 and enable the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to relax income restrictions on enrollment for health benefits. While this new provision does not remove consideration of income, it does increase income thresholds. You may be eligible for enrollment under this new provision.

Check here to see if you qualify for enrollment under new rules for VA health care:

Ken

Your 21 years (if active duty with Honorable Discharge) should have qualified you for health care (not Dental) at any military facility and should be so marked on your retired ID card. VA is only going to treat items that are service connected (in my case Spinal Artritis, hearing loss (MSW Pumps and R-11s), Eyes (flash burns from welding) and a few others (will not cover diabetes or heart condition)) and they decide based on evaluation done intially at discharge and is best done with a copy of Health Record in hand to prove that the issue occured while on active duty. If that occurred and the treatment you seek is service connected the get ahold of the Military Order of the Purple Heart in your area (even with out Purple Heart as they realize almost no Submariners get them) and have them present your case to the VA (they did mine after my heart attack and while VA would not accept heart attack they did raise my % to 55%) I have always been treated fairly well by VA in Seattle. I get glasses and hearing aids from them, plus flu shots and others tetnius etc.

As far as free health care is concerned, and the promises being made about it....... When I enlisted in 1968 I was promised free health and dental for life if I was to stay for twenty years (plus 1/2 Pay LOL) just like the country is being Promised VERBALLY ( cause there are so many loop holes in the bill that mean no one is going to get it for free) right now. What did I get No Dental at all ($200 a month) No Vision ($50 a month plus $100 co pay which I can not afford) and Tricare (which varies by the individual and seems to increase every year and has increasing co pays I think the room rate just went to $650 a day) So don't try to sell me the bill of goods that health care will be free. And as far as rationing, and death panels are concerned it is already happening to some extent. Have a heart attack in Bremerton 1 mile from Harrison General Hospital you be transported 20 miles to Navy Hospital then 45 miles to they Army Hospital only to be seen by a official Cardiologist 24 hours later. And if that system of passing the buck because I was a 53 yr old retired Military, I had to go to Navy because my free Health Care would not pay for Civilian Hospital, I had to go to Army because at 1 PM on a weekday the Navy Cardiologists were to busy (supposedly with active duty requirements) and there was not enough staff to use the angioplast and some other equipment) so off to the Army Hospital. TRo finally be put in a hospital Bed at ~1600 6 hours after collapsing  on the floor. Don't tell me the free healthcare system will not result in shortages and rationing and death of Seniors because of them.

Additionally some of the little add ons in the bill while good in intent have already caused some interesting effects. On part of the program restricts (if passed) the giving of promotional items to healthcare providers. Sounds neat but like everything else not well thought out. There is no minimum $$$$ (the Navy is enforcing this now) so as Medical Sales person I can not even give a Nurse an ink Pen or a stress ball for drawing Blood (and the Navy will not buy them) so they have to buy there own. (I take a bag of sample every time I go)  Its just little things like that.

It boils down to a simple fact If it is good enough for joe average civilian why is this health care not good enough for Congress or Heaven Forbid the person who is insisting we pass it right now? Atleast one inquiring mind wants to Know! And that is reguardless of Political affilation and I have been asking about the same question when I got my first TriCare copay and refusal to be seen at Navy Hospital.