Obamacare and Agent Orange

There is no way to avoid seeing, hearing or reading news about the Affordable Health Care Act, better known as Obamacare these days, but understanding the content of this information is nearly impossible for those of us lacking law degrees and 20 years of political experience. Even some of those elected members of Congress just shook their heads and signed their approval, because of peer pressure, to a program they did not understand.

Remember Nancy Pelosi’s famous, “We have to sign it into law so that we can see what is in it” statement? Well, it is here now, and we still don’t know what’s in it.
One thing that has become clear now: If you do not have some kind of acceptable insurance coverage in the very near future, you will be charged a special tax by the IRS.

 So where does that leave the veterans and their families? I can give the official answer, thanks to Fred Daniels, one of our VSOs at Trinka Davis Clinic.

If you are enrolled in one of the following VA health care programs, you have coverage under the standards of the health care law: Veterans health care program, Civilian Health and Medical program (CHAMPVA), Spina Bifida Health Care Program. If you are enrolled in VA health care, you don’t need to take additional steps to meet the health care law coverage standard. The health care law does not change VA health benefits or veterans’ out-of-pocket costs. 
If you are not enrolled in VA health care, you can apply at any time.

Bottom line is: If you are enrolled in one of these programs, you are already covered under the requirements of the law. If you are not covered under these programs and need insurance to be covered, get in gear and apply for your veteran benefits before the taxes hit you for non-compliance.

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