SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – Nov. 11, 2026 – “When someone raises their right hand and takes an oath to serve this country, they make a commitment most of us will never be asked to make,” said Shelley Lyford, CEO, chair, and trustee of the Gary and Mary West Foundation. “We cannot simply thank veterans for their service on November 11 and overlook the ways we Americans fail to serve them and their families throughout the year. When a veteran has to choose between filling a prescription and putting groceries on the table, we’ve fallen short. That’s unacceptable.”
In 2024, nearly 18 U.S. veterans died by suicide each day, on average, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. A separate study of more than 17,000 U.S. veterans found that those facing three or more financial stressors had 2.4 times the odds of dying by suicide compared with those facing none. VA report · JAMA Network Open study
A new West Health–Gallup survey shows what veterans give up to pay for healthcare. Nearly one in five veterans surveyed said they cut back on groceries or transportation. 25% drew on savings or retirement funds. Among veterans who reported medical debt, one in five owed at least $10,000.
One unpaid bill can put the next one out of reach. In a 2022 KFF survey, 37% of U.S. adults with healthcare debt said they or someone in their household had skipped or delayed paying another bill or debt because of it. KFF Health Care Debt Survey
“The Gary and Mary West Foundation is dedicated to delivering more good days to more people, starting with older Americans and veterans whose needs too often go overlooked,” Lyford said. “As America marks its 250th birthday, I’m asking Americans to help erase $250 million in medical debt for veterans and first responders. A family that has given so much to this country should be able to plan for its future without an old medical bill hanging over it.”
The impact of Operation Debt of Gratitude
Bear Handlon, a decorated veteran and former Navy SEAL, founded Operation Debt of Gratitude in 2024. The campaign has erased more than $50 million in medical debt for over 25,000 veterans.
One of them is Mara C., a U.S. Army veteran and Gold Star spouse. Mara lost her husband, a fellow veteran, in Iraq. She later survived a car accident and faced $341,702 in medical debt.
Last year, Operation Debt of Gratitude erased her balance in full.
“Imagine opening a letter and learning that the bill you’ve worried about for years is gone,” Handlon said. “We want more veterans and first responders to get that letter. It’s what we owe them.”
Every $1 donated can cancel $50 in qualifying medical debt. The campaign buys eligible debt at a discount, cancels it, and notifies recipients by mail. Families do not need to apply. A total of $5 million in donations could fund the full $250 million goal. To contribute and learn more, visit OperationDebtOfGratitude.org .
Research note: The West Health–Gallup survey was conducted July 22 through August 4, 2026. The Gary and Mary West Foundation supports Operation Debt of Gratitude. References to the West Health Institute and Gallup concern the research only.
West Health
Solely funded by philanthropists Gary and Mary West, West Health is a family of nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations that include the Gary and Mary West Foundation and Gary and Mary West Health Institute in San Diego and the Gary and Mary West Health Policy Center in Washington, D.C. West Health is dedicated to lowering healthcare costs to enable seniors to successfully age in place with access to high-quality and affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life and independence. Learn more at westhealth.org .
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