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Photo by James V. Carroll |
INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 18, 2007) – The American Legion National Commander and its board of directors sent letters to the leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives today urging that they pass the stalled Military Construction and Veterans Funding bill, which has the support of both The American Legion and the White House.
“We are now in the new fiscal year with no idea when the Mil Con-VA appropriations will be passed,” the letters to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker of The House Nancy Pelosi said. “If history repeats itself, this standoff may last well into the second quarter of the fiscal year. This uncertainty is disturbing to not only The American Legion and other veterans’ and military service organizations, but to every veteran who is dependent on VA for timely access to quality health care, earned benefits, and other services provided by a grateful nation.”
The letters, which were signed by American Legion National Commander Marty J. Conatser, five American Legion national vice commanders, and all 55 American Legion National Executive Committee members, point out that the president has already said that he will not veto the bill, even though it exceeds his recommendations. The bipartisan bill already passed overwhelmingly in both chambers, but is being held up in conference.
“The time is long overdue for the Congress to sign this appropriations bill and send it to the White House,” Conatser said. “Everyday wounded heroes return from Iraq and Afghanistan and politicians promise to take care of them. Delaying needed veterans legislation is not upholding those promises. Nor is it upholding the promises made to the generations of veterans who came before them.”
Some observers believe that the delay is because of unrelated funding disputes that congressional leaders have with the Bush administration.
The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic youth programs. The Legion’s 2.7 million wartime veterans work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
Comments (3)
I have urged Senator Richard Durbin,Senator Obama and others to pass legislation,Senator Durbins response is about H.R.2206 temporary funding appropriations ,so the messages arent getting thru their own self interests.I cant support any democrats for president.Senator Akaka,and the senate veterans affaairs,or Senator Burr may be strong advocates of the issues,REpresentative Steve Buyer sternly opposes mandatory funding,so the Congress should appoint leaders that support our initiatives,and efforts
Posted by Randy Cline | 10/19/07 12:48 PM |
I continue to urge Illinois democrats in Congress to support our efforts,Senator Durbin reply on H.R.2206 seems to be a major acheivement he is proud of,I cant support any democrats for president.Seantor Akaka,Senator Burr,Senator Obama,or those on Veterans affairs committee if they are strong leader advocates then I applaud them,Rep.Buyer opposition to mandatory funding,he should rethink that.
Posted by Randy Cline | 10/19/07 12:56 PM |
The hope or dream that members of congress or the administration will ever fund prompt and effective medical care and facilities will never be fulfilled. Today with well over 750,000 casualties from the Persian Gulf combat since we initiated combat action during May 1990. and then we have over 400,000 Vietnam Vets affected by Agent Orange and then thousands of WW2 and Korean War vets who need medical care too. Even when congres passes the budget the Office of Management and Budget- OMB stops it cold.
Portions of the internal Va report on OEF- OIF casualties follows:
Analysis of VA Health Care Utilization Among US Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Veterans Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom VHA Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards October 2007
Among all 751,273 separated OEF/OIF Veterans
35% (263,909) of total separated OEF/OIF veterans have obtained VA health care since
FY 2002 (cumulative total)
96% (253,730) of 263,909 evaluated OEF/OIF patients have been seen as outpatients only by VA and not hospitalized
4% (10,179) of 263,909 evaluated OEF/OIF patients have been hospitalized at least once in a VA health care facility
% OEF/OIF Veterans
(n = 263,909)
Sex
Male 88 %
Female 12
Age Group
<20 5
20-29 52
30-39 23
=40 20
Branch
Air Force 12
Army 65
Marine 12
Navy 11
Unit Type
Active 50
Reserve/Guard 50
Rank
Enlisted 92
Officer 8
Diagnosis (n = 263,909)
(Broad ICD-9 Categories) Frequency * %
Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (001-139) 28,665 10.9
Malignant Neoplasms (140-208) 2,193 0.8
Benign Neoplasms (210-239) 9,129 3.5
Diseases of Endocrine/Nutritional/ Metabolic Systems (240-279) 50,968 19.3
Diseases of Blood and Blood Forming Organs (280-289) 5,086 1.9
Mental Disorders (290-319) 100,580 38.1
Diseases of Nervous System/ Sense Organs (320-389) 83,273 31.6
Diseases of Circulatory System (390-459) 39,633 15.0
Disease of Respiratory System (460-519) 49,464 18.7
Disease of Digestive System (520-579) 81,427 30.9
Diseases of Genitourinary System (580-629) 25,561 9.7
Diseases of Skin (680-709) 38,791 14.7
Diseases of Musculoskeletal System/Connective System (710-739) 117,424 44.5
Symptoms, Signs and Ill Defined Conditions (780-799) 93,093 35.3
Injury/Poisonings (800-999) 48,736 18.5
*These are cumulative data since FY 2002, with data on hospitalizations and outpatient visits as of June 30, 2007; veterans can have multiple diagnoses with each healthcare encounter. A veteran is counted only once in any single diagnostic category but can be counted in multiple categories, so the above numbers add up to greater than 263,909.
If you go to www.va .gov then pull up the May 2007 HGWVIS report you wil find out on page 9 that out of out of 1,129,340 who have served in the Gulf since May 1990 that only 963,083 are still alive.
So given these horrible casualties are due to our own actions- failures medical care and facility funding will never be provided. IT WOULD BREAK THE BANK!
Posted by Dr. Doug Rokke | 10/22/07 9:28 AM |