A lot of vets in Calif seem to get go care from the VA. Don’t know why.
I have a buddy here in Kalifornia who used the VA exclusively until he hit the Medicare age crossing...and he was Coast Guard, so he never left the state.....I haven't quizzed him on qualifiers, if any.
Personally, as a USMC vet from 1966 - 72, I'd had quite enough of government and military, so never in the slightest did I consider going that route --- I'd rather have had my appendix explode than get in "another phocking line".
In various employment from then until retirement (I be 67), insurance was never offered or provided, so I bought my own for decades. No regrets, altho it got rather pricey.