The Struggle for Local Access: Guam’s Veterans Deserve Better

For many veterans on Guam, the battle doesn’t end when they come home—it just takes a new form. It’s not a fight against foreign enemies, but a struggle for something they’ve already earned: access to quality healthcare.
🏥 VA Healthcare in Guam: A Missing LifelineDespite the island’s deep military roots and proud record of service, Guam lacks a fully equipped VA hospital. Veterans suffering from PTSD, cancer, combat-related injuries, or chronic illness are often referred off-island to Hawaii or the U.S. mainland—a journey that’s expensive, emotionally difficult, and often impossible for those in financial or physical distress.
This lack of local care means many Guam veterans delay or skip vital treatments, putting their health at serious risk.
💸 Veterans Benefits in Guam: Underfunded and UnequalIn 2012, Guam ranked last in VA spending per veteran, receiving only $822 per person, compared to over $5,000 in many U.S. states. This funding gap continues to affect veterans’ access to services today.
Guam’s veterans serve the same country, risk the same injuries, and wear the same uniform—but they don’t receive equal VA healthcare. The numbers show it, and veterans feel it.
🗳️ Guam’s Political Status Affects Veterans’ AccessAs an unincorporated U.S. territory, Guam has no voting representation in Congress. This means veterans in Guam have less political power to push for improved services. While CHamoru service members enlist at one of the highest rates per capita in the U.S., their representation in national decisions remains limited.
This political reality is part of what causes the ongoing struggle for military healthcare access in Guam.
💬 Stories That Matter: Veterans Left BehindVeterans like Sergio O’Shaughnessy have bravely come forward to share how they were promised help—only to fall through the cracks. His story of homelessness, misdiagnosed PTSD, and broken VA support is a chilling reminder that systems meant to help veterans can sometimes hurt them instead.
There are many others whose stories remain untold—waiting, struggling, suffering quietly.
🛠️ Solutions for Better Access to VA Services on GuamGuam veterans are calling for:

• A fully staffed and modern VA hospital on Guam
  
• Increased per-veteran funding that matches stateside averages
  
• Greater access to mental health and telehealth services
  
• Stronger federal representation and advocacy
  

These are not luxuries—they’re earned benefits that should be available to every veteran, regardless of geography.
📣 Help Raise Awareness for Guam’s VeteransWhether you're a veteran, family member, or supporter, your voice matters. Here’s how you can help:
✅ Share this post using hashtags like #GuamVeterans, #VAHealthcareGuam, #VeteransDeserveBetter
✅ Contact your local representatives and demand improved access
✅ Submit your story to A Veteran’s Journal and help raise awareness