(Senator Greg Ball and Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino announcing the launch of Smiling on America’s Heroes in Westchester County)
Click Here To Watch The Full Press Conference! [4]
White Plains, N.Y. – (09/12/11) – It’s hard to believe that the men and women who risk life and limb for this country are not provided with dental and vision coverage when they return home. That startling fact is the reason Senator Greg Ball (R, C – Patterson), Chairman of the Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, is getting behind a program that provides veterans and their families with greater access to affordable dental and vision care.
Smiling on America’s Heroes is a program that provides discounted dental and vision services to veterans and their families throughout New York State. Veterans who sign up have access to 6,700 dentists and 1,236 vision centers across the state, reducing the cost of these services up to 60%. All veterans are accepted into the program, with no waiting times or administrative forms, and allowed an unlimited number of visits.
“These are the men and women who signed on a dotted line and agreed to protect our freedoms at any cost,” said Chairman Ball. “It’s unconscionable to think that these young men and women are not automatically entitled to dental or vision coverage! This is the least we can do,” added Ball.
Ball joined Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli (R, C – Goldens Bridge) and Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino announcing the program’s launch in Westchester County.
“To qualify for VA dental and vision benefits, the VA requires that those returning from overseas and those who have served their nation faithfully in the great wars of the last century must have either a service-connected dental or vision issue, or be 80% disabled,” Castelli said. “It is an unfortunate reality that in these tough times, dental and vision insurance are sometimes luxuries beyond reach for young working families, and our aging veteran populations who do not meet those requirements. It is my sincere hope that this program will be heavily marketed to fulfill this need an underserved, and over-deserving population to whom we owe a debt that can never be fully repaid,” added Castelli.
“Ensuring our veterans have access to quality and affordable health care is a top priority,” said Astorino. “Particularly in these difficult economic times, many of our veterans struggle to get the care they need. This discount program will provide essential dental and eye care that’s not currently covered by the VA, with no cost to taxpayers. Both our aging veteran population and the young men and women just returning home can greatly benefit from the services provided by this program,” added Astorino.
The program is provided through Careington, Inc., one of the nation’s leading dental, medical and health care discount providers. The program costs a veteran $8.95/month per family or $7.17/month per family if the yearly amount is paid up front. For more information or to sign up for the program, visit www.SmilingOnAmericasHeroes.com [5].
For more information or to speak with Senator Greg Ball, please contact Ali Skinner at (845) 200-9716.
