[trebb]

For those who did not make 20 years, but have/had medical issues, it was the VA that became available depending on the circumstances - that has been in effect for a very long time.

When retirees started having to pay for TriCare back in the '90s, TriCare for Life also kicked in as a 'supplement' to Medicare and picks up about everything Medicare doesn't pay.

Prior to that, military medical facilities and the VA were supposed to give all retired vets free healthcare but many were in geographic areas where it wasn't feasible.

[Freee-dame]

Possibly medical issues related to their military service?