I will share a more positive senior story.
My dad enlisted in the army at 16, in 1952, going full active duty after graduating HS. At the time, the army said that if you enlisted, and retired, you would have healthcare for life at no cost. Not for spouses, just the soldiers.
Of course, years later, Uncle Sam tried to claw that back. A MOH winner sued, and won:
https://www.military.com/militaryadvantage/2012/05/is-there-a-promise-of-free-health-care-for-life?amp
Retirees who enlisted before 1958 get free healthcare for life. It doesn’t have to be from VA system.
When a doctor tells him he should go to the ER, Dad says, “Call an ambulance”. Everything is paid for.
In an argument with him, my sister threatened to ignore his medical DNR preference and keep him plugged into machines forever, keeping those retirement checks coming while he is comatose (she was joking, … I think).
He has a unique situation and we are grateful for it.