Can you find me? I was there! Mental Health Day 2013!

A BIG Thank You to everyone for a very successful Hill Day.  Over 700 people attended the event this year – 25 of them representing DBSA.   See if you can find yourself in this fantastic picture!

This was DBSA’s first year partnering with the National Council for Behavioral Health and we certainly made our presence known.  Our goal was to make sure the Peer voice was heard.  And heard it was!  We received recognition at the closing reception as the state and/or organization with the most peers in attendance.  And we were listed among the top ten tweeters for the event.

 Give yourself a big pat on the back, soak your tired feet, but don’t rest on your laurels, because this is just the beginning.  Look for e-mails from me in the very near future outlining how you can grow your advocacy efforts on the local, state and national level.

I am honored and proud to be part of such a dedicated and enthusiastic group of people.  Let’s keep the momentum going.

 Phyllis Foxworth
Advocacy and Communications Manager
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

Veterans and the New Health Care Law

Week of October 21, 2013

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) sent out a letter a few weeks ago to veterans explaining their options under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The new law will not change VA benefits. If a veteran is enrolled in VA healthcare, that coverage meets the standards for the ACA's insurance requirement. Most uninsured veterans are eligible for VA health care. However, not everyone who has served in uniform qualifies for VA health care such as Reserve or National Guard vets who served on active duty for training purposes only. Veterans who are not eligible for VA, and their families, could go to the Health Insurance Exchange. Another option, gaining Medicaid coverage, is limited in states that are not expanding the program. Here are some ways to enroll in VA care or determine your eligibility: (1) visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits/enroll; (2) call 1-877-222-VETS(8387); and (3) visit your local VA health care facility. For more information, visit VA, the Affordable Care Act and You webpage at www.va.gov/health/aca/.

For more updates on VA benefits programs, visit the Military Advantage blog.

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