Recent Articles

VA Health Care for Life?  You Now May Be Eligible.

Phasing in of Veterans Administration (VA) health care under the Pact Act has been eliminated. All eligible veterans can enroll in VA health care…NOW!

Phasing in of Veterans Administration (VA) health care under the Pact Act has been eliminated. All eligible veterans can enroll in VA health care…NOW!

By

Several days ago, I received the following from Veterans Service Officer (VSO), Liz Witowski, of the Whatcom County Veterans Program (items below in bold are mine).

On this Veterans Day, the Whatcom County Veterans Program extends heartfelt gratitude to all Veterans for their dedicated service to our nation. We’re especially eager to highlight the PACT Act, a significant milestone in VA healthcare benefits.

The PACT Act represents the largest expansion of VA healthcare in history. Originally, enrollment was set to be phased in, but as of March 5, 2024, this phasing has been eliminated. Now, all eligible Veterans can enroll in VA healthcare, allowing millions to gain access to vital services up to eight years earlier than anticipated.

This expansion includes Veterans who have been exposed to toxins and other hazards during their service, whether in combat zones like Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, or Afghanistan, or even during training stateside. If you meet the basic service and discharge requirements, you can enroll directly in VA healthcare without needing to apply for VA benefits first.

For more information about how to apply, please visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411.

Our office is here to assist you with any questions regarding this healthcare expansion or other benefits related to the PACT Act. We now have two Veteran Services Officers available to help:

We are committed to serving Veterans and their families and honoring the sacrifices made in defense of our country. Thank you for your service!

Even if you DID NOT SERVE in the areas indicated on the graphic above, you may be eligible. Please see the Pact Act Overview below. The only way to find out is to apply…NOW!

NOTE:  There are over 14,000 veterans in Whatcom County.  If you are not a veteran, send a copy of this article to any veteran you know.  

Attached Files

VA Health Care for Life?  You Now May Be Eligible.

By Dick ConoboyOn Nov 01, 2024

Phasing in of Veterans Administration (VA) health care under the Pact Act has been eliminated. All eligible veterans can enroll in VA health care…NOW!

Veterans Day, 2024.  What Is To Be Done?

By Dick ConoboyOn Nov 04, 2024

Deeds, not talk, count on Veterans Day

1 comment, most recent 2 days ago

How Do You Spell Budget And Disaster Relief?  N…I…B

By Dick ConoboyOn Oct 27, 2024

An off-budget $5 Trillion National Infrastructure Bank (NIB), along the lines of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) that operated between 1932-1957, means low-cost loans and no additions to the deficit.

Medicare Advantage Open Season And YOU Are The $$$ Target

By Dick ConoboyOn Oct 23, 2024

Medicare Advantage is NOT Medicare. Medicare is there to provide health care. Medicare Advantage is a business, there to make money.

1 comment, most recent 1 week ago

An Overlooked Benefit of Improved Internet Access in Whatcom County: The U.S. Census

By David A. SwansonOn Oct 21, 2024

David Swanson verifies what Jon Humphrey has said for years: good internet access benefits people, cities, counties, and states.

10 comments, most recent 1 week ago

Minimum Wage - Farce or Tragedy?

By Dick ConoboyOn Oct 19, 2024

Or perhaps tragic farce or farcical tragedy might be more apt descriptors. Pick one, or both.

13 comments, most recent 2 weeks ago

The Big Ask

By NWCitizen ManagementOn Oct 16, 2024

After nearly 30 years online, and literally being one of the oldest blogs on the internet, Northwest Citizen needs a major programming overhaul. To do so, we need your help.

1 comment, most recent 2 weeks ago

The Disturbing Disappearance of Local Banks

By Guest WriterOn Sep 19, 2024

The top 20% of commercial banks in the United States control 95% of our total banking assets. Remember “Too-Big-to-Fail”?

3 comments, most recent 1 month ago

How To Get Nothing Done

By Jon HumphreyOn Aug 24, 2024

The City has created another useless document ensuring nothing changes and mediocre communication services are protected.

13 comments, most recent 1 month ago

You haven’t voted yet? Check out this idea for one of your votes.

By John ServaisOn Aug 05, 2024

Why a vote for Jason Call for Congress is a good vote for conservatives, liberals, Democrats and Republicans. Yes, an unusual idea.

First Murray. Now Larsen. Half Trillion Dollar Theft From Medicare: Not An Issue.

By Dick ConoboyOn Jul 27, 2024

Heaven forbid our reps should attack the main problem, Medicare Advantage, head on. But no. They must nibble around the edges to give the appearance of doing something.

1 comment, most recent 3 months ago

Moral Injury Links Medicare Advantage Physicians To Combat Veterans

By Dick ConoboyOn Jun 16, 2024

Morally significant double binds force doctors and combat soldiers into identical life and death quandaries, damaging their moral centers. To these two groups we can also add law enforcement officers.

4 comments, most recent 4 months ago

Over A Half Trillion Dollars Stolen From Medicare - Sen. Patty Murray Is OK With That

By Dick ConoboyOn Jun 14, 2024

It is time to stop the “Real Steal” from Medicare.

3 comments, most recent 4 months ago

Nooksack Adjudication vs. State Water Law?

By Eric HirstOn Jun 14, 2024

Eric Hirst gives us a brief and clear explanation of the water adjudication process that is beginning now in Whatcom County

3 comments, most recent 3 months ago

The Scrap Heap - The Real Message

By David Netboy On Jun 12, 2024

Aggressive citizen involvement carried the day.

5 comments, most recent 4 months ago

The Wealth Of Real Estate Corporations Is Not Our Purpose For Being

By Guest WriterOn Jun 11, 2024

Build-for-profit, incarceration-inspired housing is destroying our souls.

11 comments, most recent 1 month ago

All Remaining ABC Scrap Metal Is On Ship

By John ServaisOn Jun 10, 2024

The last of the scrap metal is loaded on the ship and it will be gone from our town.

1 comment, most recent 4 months ago

A Walking Tour at the Core of the Explosion

By John ServaisOn Jun 10, 2024

A 54-photo tour of the ruptured pipe area of the Whatcom Creek explosion taken in July 1999.

1 comment, most recent 4 months ago

The Audio of the Pipeline Explosion

By John ServaisOn Jun 08, 2024

Below is an audio tape of 911 calls, emergency responders’ radio communications, and local radio coverage from June 10, 1999 when Whatcom Creek exploded in Bellingham

2 comments, most recent 4 months ago

Court Process for Defining Whatcom Water Rights Begins

By Guest WriterOn Jun 03, 2024

Whatcom County’s confusing water rights will be defined by court proceedings beginning now

1 comment, most recent 4 months ago