ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – This week, the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center is hosting town hall events across the Upper Peninsula.
On Tuesday, VA leadership and outreach teams visited veterans service offices and VFW posts in Escanaba, Stephenson, and Manistique. Town hall attendees had an opportunity to ask questions, discuss healthcare enrollment, and learn about changes to VA benefits.
“We cover 26,000 square miles, which is one of the biggest catchment areas of any VA in the country,” said Timothy Ellison, Public Affairs Officer for the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center. “We’re literally going out to where the veterans are to make sure that they have access to the information and benefits that they’ve earned already.”
One of the primary topics being covered at the town halls is the PACT Act. Passed in 2022, the act has significantly changed healthcare access for veterans impacted by hazardous conditions or harmful materials during their service.
“It requires the federal government to recognize that the things that veterans are exposed to during service can lead to conditions down the line, even if those conditions didn’t present during service,” Ellison explained.
Now, as long as veterans can prove exposure to an approved hazard can enroll in VA healthcare.
“A good example of that is veterans that worked on the flight line, for instance,” said Ellison. “They were exposed to a ton of noise. That noise might not have damaged their hearing that day, but then down the line, they’re having chronic hearing problems. Now, the federal government has to recognize that your exposure to noise could have been a contributing factor to this. Veterans can then get disability benefits, potentially, as well as healthcare benefits.”
More town halls are scheduled for the following dates and times:
May 13
·Munising, MI, 10 a.m.
Vietnam Veterans of America Post, E8025 Jingle Bell Lane, Christmas, MI
·Big Bay, MI, 2:30 p.m.
Thunder Bay Inn, 400 Bensinger Street, Big Bay, MI
·Marquette, MI, 5 p.m.
American Legion Post 44, 700 West Bluff Street, Marquette, MI
May 14
·Ishpeming, MI, 10 a.m.
American Legion Post 114, 3050 County Road 496, Ishpeming, MI
·Gwinn, MI, 2 p.m.
VFW Post 5670, 54 N. Mitchell Street, Gwinn, MI
Next week, the VA Medical Center will host enrollment events in Marquette County. Those events are as follows:
May 19
·Ishpeming, MI – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
American Legion Post 114, 3050 County Road 496, Ishpeming, MI
·Gwinn, MI – 3 p.m. to 7 pm
VFW Post 5670, 54 N. Mitchell Street, Gwinn, MI
May 20
·Harvey, MI – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Chocolay Township Hall, 5010 US 41 South, Marquette, MI
·Marquette, MI – 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
American Legion Post 44, 700 West Bluff Street, Marquette, MI
Veterans should bring their DD214, income from the previous year, date of marriage, date of birth of any dependents, and the social security number of any dependents.
Veterans can receive regular updates from the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center by subscribing to emails by clicking here or following the center on Facebook.
