Iowa city va health care system to celebrate military spouse appreciation day with veteran vow renewals | va iowa city health care | veterans affairs

Iowa City , IA — IOWA CITY, IA – May 9, 2024 The Iowa City VA Medical Center (ICVAMC) will be honoring the sacrifices military spouses have made by handing out flowers and performing a

complementary vow renewal on May 10 for Pat and Larry Heid, a native Iowan military couple. Larry and his wife Pat married in 1959 and shortly after Larry was deployed to Korea. They will be

renewing their vows at the ICVAMC to mark their 65th wedding anniversary. The vow renewal for the Heids will be held in the hospital’s 3rd floor chapel at 12 p.m. with a reception to

follow. Healthcare programs and services such as Care Giver Support and enrollment, will be in attendance to inform caregivers about the new extension to the PACT Act, and how to get their

loved ones the benefits they have earned.  About the PACT Act: As directed by President Biden, this expansion of VA health care eliminates the phased-in approach called for by the PACT Act –

meaning that millions of Veterans are becoming eligible for VA health care up to eight years earlier than written into law. This is a critical step forward because Veterans who are enrolled

in VA health care are proven to have better health outcomes than non-enrolled Veterans, and VA hospitals have dramatically outperformed non-VA hospitals in overall quality ratings and

patient satisfaction ratings. Additionally, VA health care is often more affordable than non-VA health care for Veterans.  About the Iowa City VA Health Care Center: The Iowa City VA

Healthcare System (Iowa City VA Health Care System) provides nearly 50,000 Veterans with outstanding health care, trains America’s future health care providers, and conducts important

medical research. The ICVAHCS in an innovative care center, which includes medical centers and clinics in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, and Wisconsin. For

more information, visit va.gov/iowa-city-health-care.