The Mid-Atlantic Regional Group
Blinded Veterans Association
Legislative News
Today the VA announced plans to
call veterans from OIF and OEF to ensure that they have been followed up in case
they had problems in the system before and had not returned, in case any veteran
does get a phone call and letter and they are
VA Calling All Recent Combat Vets
Nearly 570,000 to be Reached by
“We will reach out and touch every veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom to let them know we are here for them,” said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “VA is committed to getting these veterans the help they need and deserve.”
A contractor-operated “
In the first phase, calls will
go to an estimated 17,000 veterans who were sick or injured while serving in
For five years after their discharge from the military, these combat veterans have special access to VA health care. The Department screens combat veterans for signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. VA personnel have been deployed to the military’s major medical centers to assist wounded service members and their families during the transition to civilian lives.
For the new call center, the second phase will target 550,000 OIF-OEF veterans who have been discharged from active duty but have not contacted VA for services.
Once contacted, veterans will be informed about VA’s benefits and services. The initial calls will be made by a private contractor, EDS, which specializes in technology services to improve business. If needed, VA employees will make follow-up calls.
“We will leave no stone unturned to reach these veterans,” said Dr. Edward Huycke, chief of the Veterans Affairs - Department of Defense coordination office.
Tom Zampieri
Blinded Veterans Association
BVA's Legislative Alerts Group
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