Use of these federally owned and operated medical facilities would allow greater congressional oversight into such problem areas as accessibility, claims processing, and payment of claims. In addition, VA and DoD would have oversight into the timeliness and quality of care being provided to military service members, military retirees, and dependents. Medicare Eligibility Mr. Chairman, Medicare eligibility is an area of great concern to The American Legion. Qualification for treatment in a VHA medical facility is based on military service. Qualification for treatment in an MTF is also based on military service.
Military service is the first criteria for treatment in either facility.
Reaching the age of 65 is the primary qualification for Medicare. There is no reason a veteran should be denied use of Medicare benefits in a VA or DoD facility. This does not make sense to The American Legion. Medicare-eligibility has never been a condition for treatment in either VA or DoD medical facilities, thus no level of effort ever existed. The patients treated by VA or DoD were not provided medical care because they were Medicare-eligible.