Rep. Lee Votes to Pass Bill to Ensure Veterans Receive Health Benefits

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Susie Lee voted to pass the Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition Act (EVEST) to ensure veterans receive the health benefits they have earned through the VA health care system. This legislation will cut out bureaucratic complications by automatically enrolling all eligible servicemembers into VA health care during the transition process, with an opt-out provision should they wish to not enroll.

"We can't let bureaucracy stand in the way of our veterans getting the services they deserve," said Rep. Susie Lee. "The DoD and VA must work together to ease the transitions that new veterans face when returning to civilian life. By automatically enrolling new veterans in VA health care, this legislation eliminates a bureaucratic barrier that often prevents veterans from accessing critical care, at a time when they may need it most. The transition out of the military can be a time of great stress, and it's absolutely critical that veterans have access to care immediately. This legislation will provide our veterans with the support they need as soon as they may need it."

Under the current system, veterans who are eligible for VA health care benefits must proactively decide to enroll with VA using online, phone, or in-person services. However, veterans often are unclear about their eligibility status, meaning that some attempt to enroll when they are not eligible, and many more fail to enroll due to a lack of understanding that they are eligible for care. For example, many of the 175,000 veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) are unaware of their eligibility for five years of VA health care upon separation. These veterans would no longer have to guess their status – they would simply be enrolled, made aware of their enrollment, and be given an option of opt-out of care should they wish.

Providing care immediately upon separation is crucial for veterans, as the first few months after transitioning out of the military are a time of stress and place veterans at high risk for mental health challenges, including suicide. No veteran should have to struggle with navigating the VA bureaucracy to enroll in care. By ensuring a smooth care transition, this legislation will lower new veterans' risks for problems and promote easier access to care. Care that is offered sooner is more effective and likely to lower costs for VA and taxpayers. In addition, providing care when needed can reduce the likelihood of veterans becoming homeless or seriously ill.

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