{"id":1447350,"date":"2024-01-02T19:45:40","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T00:45:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/news\/?p=1447350"},"modified":"2024-01-02T19:45:40","modified_gmt":"2024-01-03T00:45:40","slug":"the-vas-role-in-illegal-immigrant-health-care-has-veterans-groups-and-legislators-up-in-arms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bugaluu.com\/news\/the-vas-role-in-illegal-immigrant-health-care-has-veterans-groups-and-legislators-up-in-arms\/1447350\/","title":{"rendered":"The VA’s Role In Illegal Immigrant Health Care Has Veterans Groups And Legislators Up In Arms"},"content":{"rendered":"

The VA’s Role In Illegal Immigrant Health Care Has Veterans Groups And Legislators Up In Arms<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Authored by Mark Gilman via The Epoch Times<\/a> (emphasis ours),<\/em><\/p>\n

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) predicts the agency\u2019s case backlog will peak at 400,000 in 2024<\/strong>. So, a report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which said VA resources have been used to process claims for medical care of illegal immigrants since 2020, is causing backlash from several legislators and veterans\u2019 agencies.<\/p>\n

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs building in Washington on July 6, 2023.\u00a0(Madalina Vasiliu\/The Epoch Times)<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

The DHS report gives a detailed view of how U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations are working with the VA to contract with the Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center to process medical claims reimbursements for immigrants who have not qualified for veterans benefits.<\/p>\n

In fiscal year 2022 alone, the VA processed health care claims for illegal immigrants totaling more than $63.6 million in medical services<\/strong>, the ICE report stated. That number is expected to rise by the end of fiscal year 2023, the report explains, because providers have one year after the date of service to submit claims.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a Marine, I believe any dollar taken away from a veteran is a promise broken to those who served,\u201d said Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), who has introduced legislation to block VA funds from being used to aid illegal immigrants. \u201cJoe Biden\u2019s failed border policies have created a humanitarian and national security crisis. Now it appears he\u2019s taking resources away from our veterans to facilitate healthcare for illegal migrants,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/p>\n

In an October report, the VA reported hundreds of thousands of backlogged cases. A backlogged case is categorized as one that has been pending for more than 125 days, an increase of more than a third expected in 2024.<\/p>\n

In its end-of-year 2023 benefits claims update, the VA pointed to the PACT Act as inspiring veterans this year to apply for benefits at a record rate, over 39 percent more than the previous record of applications.<\/strong> The Act, passed in 2022, expanded care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances for those eligible.<\/p>\n

In the update, the VA said it\u2019s been able to deliver \u201cmore earned benefits to more Veterans than ever before, including $150 billion in benefits during 2023 alone.\u201d The agency also said, \u201cThere has also been an anticipated increase in the number of claims applications that take longer than 125 days to process,\u201d which currently stands at 378,000.<\/p>\n

The VA added that \u201cwe have been taking aggressive steps to address this increase and to ensure timely processing of your claims.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n

That statement, however, did not calm those organizations and individuals who see illegal immigrants getting VA funds as counterproductive to solving the backlog.<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, veteran advocacy group Concerned Veterans for America (CVA) accused the VA in a written statement of \u201cmanaging community care and reimbursements for unauthorized migrants while actively keeping veterans from accessing timely, quality care.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis means the VA is spending a significant portion of time and manpower managing care for noncitizens who didn\u2019t earn it,\u201d it said. \u201cThe problem is less about who is getting the care and more about who is not.\u201d<\/p>\n

The group\u2019s executive director, Russ Duerstine, said the VA is failing in its stated mission.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe VA was created to serve the veteran, the brave men and women who served and sacrificed for our freedoms. Right now, under the Biden administration, the VA is failing our nation\u2019s heroes,\u201d he said. \u201cThe VA has paved the way for unauthorized migrants and non-citizens to easily use community care intended for veterans. This betrays the veterans who earned care through their blood, sweat, and tears.\u201d<\/p>\n

The CVA did not respond to The Epoch Times\u2019 request for an interview.<\/p>\n

In an interview with Fox News, VA spokesperson Terrence Hayes said the VA doesn\u2019t provide any health care services to individuals whom ICE detains, with all health care expenses paid for and provided by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Health Service Corps.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Tyler Durden<\/a><\/span>
\nTue, 01\/02\/2024 – 14:45<\/span><\/p>\n

\u200bhttps:\/\/www.zerohedge.com\/political\/vas-role-illegal-immigrant-health-care-has-veterans-groups-and-legislators-arms<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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