Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 01/19/2004

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
I don't know where you stand, but the men and women of The American Legion believe the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system should be funded on a mandatory, rather than a discretionary, basis. The alternative is to continue sparing no expense recruiting, training and sending U.S. troops into harm's way then denying them health care at VA because they were not wounded and their annual incomes exceed, in some cases, a whopping $25,000.

If VA health care were funded on a mandatory basis - as Social Security, Medicare, VA disability compensation and VA pensions have been - then the budget would reflect the cost of caring for all veterans lawfully eligible for treatment in the system. VA could then lift the suspension of an estimated 164,000 so-called Priority Group 8 veterans, those in the aforementioned category, who are presumed too "wealthy" for VA health care - even though their honorable military service makes them most "worthy." VA would no longer be forced to pay the higher price of out-of-network treatment for patients VA lacks the resources to treat within 30 days of their request for care. Finally, veterans seeking treatment at VA would no longer be victimized by the failure of Congress to pass a VA budget on time. Senate consideration of a huge 2004 omnibus appropriations bill containing VA funding is scheduled to begin tomorrow, nearly four months after the onset of the new fiscal year.

This is not the way our government should fight the war on terror: Raising billions to rebuild Iraq but sparing billions to rebuild the lives of veterans. Imposing no financial litmus test on who is eligible to risk life and limb in the U.S. armed forces but applying income restrictions on which veterans can receive a health care benefit. And then there's the delayed budgetary process that hamstrings the system on inadequate appropriations, while medical inflation continues to soar. Something has to give, Sarge.

The men and women of The American Legion support President Bush in the war on terror. We also support the troops whose sacrifice will help to democratize Iraq and to dismantle al Qaeda in Afghanistan. To ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system will have the resources to serve America's newest veterans, as well as those who served in previous periods, we will continue to fight to change VA health care funding from discretionary to mandatory.

Health care for veterans is the delayed cost of providing for the common defense.

JOHN BRIEDEN
National Commander
The American Legion
Washington

Dear Commander,
Mandatory funding must be passed by Congress in order to end the beg, borrow, and steal approach of providing health care to our nation’s veterans.

We have a sacred obligation to ensure that they receive the honors and benefits that they have earned through their service to our great country.

I very much agree with your previous Congressional testimony where you stated that if Congress can meet the president's request for an additional $87 billion to fund the ongoing war in Iraq, then Congress also can raise an additional $1.8 billion next year, and a $3 billion increase the following year, to meet the health care needs of veterans from the war on terror and earlier periods of service.

In the past decade, more and more veterans have turned to the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical services particularly World War II and Korean War veterans. The demand for services, however, continues to outpace the supply of federal funding of VA health care. It is becoming increasingly clear that Congress needs to look at new methods and sources for veterans' health care funding, and to seek additional ways to match resources to the growing demand such as the amendment that was attached to the Department of Defense authorization bill that seeks to increase health care resources sharing between the DoD and VA health care systems. VA continues to struggle each year to provide all the funds needed for the tasks it faces in caring for millions of frail, elderly veterans.

This years congressional delay of the Omnibus funding legislation and its adverse affect on veteran’s health care highlights the need for mandatory funding for veteran’s health. Care.

Shaft Kudos
The Sarge commends The World War II Veterans Task Force, headed by M.Gen. Milnor Roberts, Ret., for their in planning a parade saluting all World War II veterans. The parade will take place in Washington, DC on Memorial Day, May 31, 2004 beginning at 8:30 am and ending at 11:00 am. The starting point will be 3rd. and Constitution Avenue and will proceed down Constitution to finish at 14th. Street.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi has agreed to serve as the parade’s grand marshal. Secretary Principi has stated that “these veterans were never honored en masse with a huge parade like veterans from other wars have been honored. It’s long overdue!”

Veterans organizations interested in participating in the parade (riding on floats or military vehicles) or desiring grandstand seating should call Ned Elliott or John Wiscombe toll-free at 1-800-395-2036. Additional information is available on the parade website www.worldwar2parade.com.Contributions to help defray the costs of this event are welcome.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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