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VA interim director’s staff says core VA services would continue in shutdown; My HealtheVet account changes set for Jan. 31
Summary
A VA representative told the El Paso veterans advisory committee the Veterans Health Administration and most veteran-facing benefits would continue in a government shutdown and outlined phone and website resources and an upcoming My HealtheVet login consolidation.
A representative for the El Paso VA told the City of El Paso Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Jan. 16 that key VA medical and benefit services are being prepared to continue in the event of a federal government shutdown.
Amina Ricas, chief for the Center for Development and Civic Engagement speaking for the VA interim director, said veterans’ health care and VA medical centers would “remain unaffected” and that benefit processing — including compensation, pensions, education and housing support — would continue. She also said national cemeteries would remain open and burial-related applications and decisions by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals would proceed.
The representative provided contact information: the VA national information line (1-800-MyVA411) and the crisis line at 988 for immediate mental-health crisis support. For clinical support the VA’s HealthConnect nurse line is available 24/7 at 1-800-672-3782; callers can press 3 for the nurse line, 1 for pharmacy and 2 to schedule appointments.
Nut graf: The update is intended to reassure El Paso-area veterans that core VA operations should continue during an appropriations lapse, and to warn them of an imminent My HealtheVet technical change that will require action by account holders.
Ricas also said My HealtheVet is consolidating multiple VA websites into a single secure sign-on system effective Jan. 31. She warned that veterans who do not complete the new secure single sign-on (DS Logon / ID.me style process) may be unable to access appointments, medication refills or printable correspondence on va.gov. Veterans who need in-person help with the transition can visit My HealtheVet support services on the third floor of the main El Paso VA medical center.
The VA staff also announced a tele-town-hall and an on-site whole-health resource fair that took place the same day. The representative encouraged veterans to use va.gov to find the VA field guide to shutdown procedures and to call the listed numbers for help.
Ending: Committee members thanked the VA staff and moved on to county and community updates.
