CHARLESTON, W.Va. — More than 2,000 West Virginia veterans enrolled in VA health care over the past 365 days.
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Friday that 2,051 veterans are now enrolled in VA health care, a 23.41% jump compared to the previous year.
Nationally, VA enrolled 401,006 Veterans in VA health care over the past year. That’s the most yearly enrollees at VA in the last five years and a 50% increase over pandemic-level enrollment in 2020.
The 401,006 enrolled is 30% more than the 307,831 that signed up the previous year.
“We want every eligible Veteran to enroll in VA health care for one simple reason: Veterans who come to VA are proven to have better health outcomes – and pay less – than Veterans who don’t,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “That’s why we’ve spent the past year meeting Veterans where they are – hosting thousands of events, sending millions of texts, advertising on every corner, and much more – to get them to come to VA. This aggressive outreach campaign has led more Veterans to enroll in VA care than in any year in at least a decade, and we’re not slowing down now.”
The PACT Act has become a major reason for more veterans enrolling for VA health care. Since its passage, VA has hosted over 2,600 events that encourage veterans to enroll in VA health care. More than 550 in-person events are already scheduled for this year.
“VA is the best, most affordable care in America for Veterans, so we want all eligible Veterans to enroll today,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, MD “Our clinicians know Veterans – they often are Veterans – and they know exactly how to help. Even if you don’t need this care today, you might need it tomorrow, or the next day, or 30 years from now. It’s quick and easy to apply, and once you’re in, you have access for life.”
The VA’s Veterans Health Administration experienced a record high in hiring last year too. The Veterans Health Administration said it saw the fastest growing rate in 15 years with more than 61,000 new hires. Altogether, VHA has more employees than ever before.
VA encourages all veterans, family members, caregivers, and survivors to learn more about VA and apply for their health care and benefits.
For more information about VA care, visit the VA’s health care website. For more information about the impact of the PACT Act, visit VA’s PACT Act dashboard.