Presentation on Senate Bill 10 by Colonel John McCoy.

Mr. Chairman and Members of the committee I ask for your support for Senate Bill 10. I appreciate the opportunity to provide written testimony to express support of SB 10. The proposed legislation would require the Ohio department of Medicaid to review information related to persons on public assistance and determine if individuals may be entitled to health benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and/or the Department of Defense. When it is determined that an individual may be entitled to federal health benefits the individual will be notified and encouraged to contact the Veterans Services Office in the county of residence. The Ohio department of veteran’s services would also be engaged in obtaining military health care benefits for qualified individuals.

Health benefits obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense are benefits earned by serving honorably as a member of the Uniformed Services. Veterans may not be aware of these benefits due to lack of information due to not being associated with a veteran’s organization or the passage of time from their previous service. Some may be reluctant to use federal health care based on isolated reports of treatment problems reported by news sources.

Federal health care for veterans should be more beneficial and effective for veterans. An example would be care in a Veterans Affairs facility by health care providers that are totally engaged in care of veterans. They have the knowledge and experience to treat veteran’s issues. A civilian health care provider may not have had the opportunity to experience the treatment of certain veteran’s conditions.

We are an organization dedicated to advocating for members of the Uniformed Services, those still serving and those who have served, and their families. We see this proposal as a positive effort to provide veterans, who have honorably served their country, the medical care they need and deserve.

Thank you for your consideration.

Ohio Guard News

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Victor Wilson Ohio National Guard Association Legislative Co-Chairman- Air 614-581-7300