LAHARPE — Far too many veterans are eligible to receive healthcare services through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, but don’t for whatever reason, Therese Yetzbacher contends.
For some, it’s the hassle of going through a frequently lengthy bureaucratic process of finding out which, if any, services are covered.
But for many others, it’s the fact they may not be aware they’re eligible in the first place.
Yetzbacher, a member of the LaHarpe Veterans of Foreign Wars, has organized a public forum for veterans from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Sept. 9, to learn about the ins and outs of VA benefits.
Spouses, doctors and other caregivers are invited as well, Yetzbacher said.
“And it’s not just for Allen County,” LaHarpe VFW Post Commander Doug Northcutt added. “It’s for any veterans from any county.”
Yetzbacher and Northcutt have assembled a team of experts specialized in knowing precisely how the VA works.
On hand for Friday’s forum will be Allan Barnes, a certified VFW service officer who works individually with veterans to ensure they are receiving the proper care, through the VA or otherwise.
Susan Fulton, who knows the ins and outs of community care services for veterans across southeast Kansas, will be on hand, as will Gina Trask, who specializes in issues pertaining to female veterans.
Iolan Susan Booth of McIntosh and Booth Insurance will speak about helping veterans navigate Medicare and other health insurance options outside of the VA.
Kate Schroeder of Thrive Allen County will discuss ways to cover ancillary expenses for veterans such as travel costs and other topics, such as grants for small business loans.
Finally, Michelle Polston, a veterans representative for Sen. Jerry Moran in southeast Kansas, will answer questions as well.
It will be up to the veterans who attend to dictate how the discussion will lead, Yetzbacher said.
“I’m sure people have questions,” she said. “How does the VA work? How do you go from your primary care physician to a specialist? What about VA hospitals? If you have questions, they’re gonna explain everything.”
“We tried to get everybody we could think of who’s really gonna help and be involved,” Northcutt said.
The format will be set up as a panel discussion, although folks wary of asking questions in public will be able to meet individually with the panelists afterwards.
