{"id":57698,"date":"2022-01-20T17:47:37","date_gmt":"2022-01-20T17:47:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2022\/01\/20\/troops-would-automatically-be-enrolled-in-va-health-care-under-house-plan\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T12:01:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T12:01:27","slug":"troops-would-automatically-be-enrolled-in-va-health-care-under-house-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/veterans\/2022\/01\/20\/troops-would-automatically-be-enrolled-in-va-health-care-under-house-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"Troops would automatically be enrolled in VA health care under House plan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

House lawmakers<\/a> on Thursday advanced legislation that would automatically enroll separating service members into the Veterans Affairs medical system<\/a>, an effort to streamline their access to that care if they need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The move has for years been championed by advocates as a potential way to increase veterans\u2019 use of VA care and reduce some of the confusion connected to the massive health system. Past research has shown that veterans enrolled in VA medical care are less likely to die by suicide than their peers outside of the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The measure would affect about 60,000 individuals a year. Instead of formally applying for VA medical services, department officials would automatically add them to the system if they met the requirements for eligibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\t