MILITARY VETERAN and MILITARY RETIREE
THE MISUNDERSTANDING:

Many members of the Congress, their staff members, the news media, and the American people don't realize that there is a difference between a military veteran that spends less than 20 years in the military and is discharged and a military retiree veteran that spends 20 to 30 years in the military and retires. They don't seem to understand that medical care promises were made to both groups, but the promises are different.

Military Retirees were promised free medical care for themselves and their eligible dependents for life at Military Treatment Facilities.
This person is a military retiree.
She spent 20 years in the military and retired.
She was promised free medical care for herself and her eligible dependents at military treatment facilities. Since she is also a military veteran she can get medical care at a VA Hospital, or Clinic. However, she can not get medical care for her eligible dependents at a VA Hospital, or Clinic.

Military Veterans were promised medical care at a VA Hospital or Clinic basically for service connected disabilities or medical conditions.
This person is a military veteran.
He spent 4 years in the military and was discharged.
He was promised medical care at a VA Hospital or Clinic.