Timothy Pena initially traveled to NYC at the invitation of RIP Medical Debt founder and U.S. Navy Veteran Jerry Ashton to collaborate for his project, Veterans Mission Possible. Soon after arriving, Tim decided he would rather be homeless in NYC than commit suicide in Phoenix and spent five months in a shelter before obtaining his HUD/VASH voucher for supportive housing while detailing his journey from homeless to homeness with a series of articles called, 'Be the Story'. He has testified before the NYS Department of Veterans Affairs, is a member of the NYC Veterans Task Force and Military Veterans in Journalism, while founding The Forgotten Veteran non-profit. Email: Timothy Pena
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Administration Removes Barriers to Cancelation of VA Medical Debt
Jerry Ashton • November 4, 2023
Veterans’ Administration (VA) will simplify the process for claiming medical debt forgiveness for veterans.
WASHINGTON – In tonight’s State of the Union Address, President Biden may speak on today’s announcement that the Veterans’ Administration (VA) will simplify the process for claiming medical debt forgiveness for veterans. Advocates at the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) issued the following statements:
“Administrative mazes and endless paperwork stop low-income veterans from obtaining the medical debt relief they are entitled to, and the Administration is taking important steps to reduce these barriers for veterans who owe federally-held medical debts
These administrative roadblocks are especially burdensome to low-income veterans, many of whom are trying to manage medical conditions that are consequences of their military service. Without the ability to discharge the debts, they become subject to the federal government’s extraordinary collection powers, “said Kyra Taylor, staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center.
“America’s heroes should not have to weather wage garnishment, tax offset, and administrative offset for overdue fees charged for critical medical and mental health care at VA facilities.”
“Non-white veterans are likely to use the VA for healthcare needs, and making it easier for them to get medical debt relief will especially help protect the financial well-being of veterans of color,” said Berneta Haynes, staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center.
“Veterans and military families should not need to worry that seeking medical care or receiving an overpayment of benefits could endanger their ability to pay the rent, feed their families, or obtain an auto loan.”
Your timing is propitious. On Veterans Day, 11/11/23 we will be formally unveiling a charity called End Veteran Debt (EVD) and announcing our intention to do for veteran debt that was done by my first charity, RIP Medical Debt (which to date has abolished $10B in medical debt for seven million Americans) has done in that world. Apply at that link for an early peek.
Weeks? I don’t do weeks. I am fairly open for a Zoom (or phone) call this coming Monday (other than 12-1) and all of Tuesday. Pick a 30-minute stretch of time a day of your choice and I will calendar it in.
Speaking of Monday, if any on your team can shoehorn in the 12-1 EDT time, I invite you to attend the weekly Veteran Mission Possible (VMP) community call and meet the vets and allies who are working on real-world solutions to veteran issues. Here’s the backstory.
Looking forward to opening the conversation.
Jerry Ashton
