VA To Expand Benefits To Priority 8 Vets
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(January 06, 2009)—The Department of Veteran Affairs has revealed a multi-million dollar plan aimed at expanding benefits to about 265,000 previously excluded veterans known as Priority 8 veterans.

Priority 8 veterans were initially blocked from enrollment into the VA system in January 2003 if their income exceeded approximately $30,000 annually.

The $375 million provision was authored last year by Congressman Chet Edwards, who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and passed into law late last September.

"This needed expansion of VA benefits to middle income veterans is just one example of how millions of veterans will benefit from the historic funding increases of the last two years," said Congressman Edwards.

The provision is funded by $16.3 billion increase in funding since 2006; a larger increase in the last two years than the previous 12 years, according to Congressman Edwards.

"Reopening the doors of the VA system to veterans who have earned these benefits sends a clear message that we honor and respect their service and sacrifice to country," said Edwards.

“Our veterans earned and deserved every dime."


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Posted by: Cedric Lydell Duncan Location: North Carolina on Jun 19, 2009 at 06:49 AM
Any Person That Has Served In The Military Should Receive The Benefits That Were Promised To Them Whenever The Government Promised Them Upon Being Enlisted,This Happens Everytime A Republican Has Taken Office For The Last 8 Years,Each Administration Has Slowly Taken Away Benefits That Were Rightfully There's.Washington Has Enlisted One Criminal After Another One It's On Ranks Any Way You Want To Disguise This Theft That Politicians Has Sentenced Our Veterans To Each Time They Need A Budget Cut,Or To Make Funds Avavide To Priority 8 Veterans Been Strip pen Of Their Rightfully Benefits That Were Promised Them And I Know Because I Were Promised Certain Benefits When I Were An Enlisted Personnel,That Has Dwindled Down To Me Having To Apply For VA Benefits Through Me Not Making Enough Money To Rise Above The Poverty Level,So I Have To Play Along The VA's Regulations,& Treachery.Obama Is Not By Far My Candidate Of Choice But He Has Did More Than All Washington's Crooks For Either Past Admin.

Posted by: linda Location: wheaton on Jan 7, 2009 at 01:19 PM
i do not care how much they make they fouthfor this country they deserve what every one else that fouth for are freedom deserves. (no expetions)

Posted by: Reason Location: Belton on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:09 AM
Marlin based on the article benefits were denied these vets on January 2003 was not George Bush in office then? It all states that Chet Edwards helped facilitate the provisions to the vets. He is a democrat not a republican. Bottom line it doesn't matter which party faciliated it. No Vet should be denied benefits, but to make the cut off $30,000 is criminal.

Posted by: bob Location: buffalo,tx on Jan 7, 2009 at 12:25 AM
does this mean that viet nam era veterans like me can still go to a va hospital

Posted by: Alice Location: Waco Land on Jan 6, 2009 at 09:33 PM
Mrs J: Any vet who has applied for VA health care, and was turned down solely due to income - they should be getting a letter from the VA saying they are now eligible. This may take a few months, as the new plan needs time to get off the ground. To Marlin: You are wrong! The income threshold rule was put into effect by the Bush administration. Do your research. And, it is a Democrat (Chet Edwards) who is getting this rule repealed. To Anonymous: It's been the Republican administration of the last eight years that has had a huge influence on the rules that the VA has had to live by. It's not the VA's fault. They are an agency that has to answer to higher powers in Washington, D.C. Do your research.

Posted by: John E. Location: Salado, TX on Jan 6, 2009 at 01:15 PM
IT SHOULD NOT MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY A VETERAN MAKES EVERY YEAR!!! Every military recruiter told every new recruit, "When you leave the military, you will be a veteran and you will receive fre e health care through the VA Hospital system." Our government blows all their money helping foreign countries with little or no results, and then they tell our veterans, "Sorry, no free health care for you! We wasted all the money! Sorry, go live on the street!" All of the government officials responsible for this slap in the face to our veterans should be forced to live in Iraq for the rest of their lives.

Posted by: Mrs J Location: Gatesville on Jan 6, 2009 at 11:58 AM
My husband was denied benefits. Does he have to reapply to get this or will they redo his application?

Posted by: Marlin Location: Texas on Jan 6, 2009 at 11:56 AM
About time the Clintyon theft was stopped! Bill Clinton decided that to save money, i.e. to give the money to welfare, that the government could renig on it's contract with veterans like me. I make more than the $30,000 limit, so I was denied contractually garrunteed medical services. THAT'S WRONG for everyone EXECPT GOVERNMENT! Now the Republicans have finally stopped the theft! GOOD!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 at 09:45 AM
It's about time. People running the VA need to be ashamed of themselves that these benefits were denied in the first place.

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