Op-ed by Dan Boren:

Wednesday, March 16, 2005  

George Washington once said, "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation."

 

Now with the war against terror, veteran’s issues are more important than ever.  Yesterday’s veterans - tomorrow's veterans - today's soldiers - are not only recognized as trusted war fighters, but they are also considered the champions of homeland defense.  They have done, and continue to do their job well in keeping our nation safe and secure from a very dangerous world.

 

When it comes to veteran’s policy, our veterans absolutely deserve better.  Veteran’s benefits should be viewed as a social compact that the federal government entered into with our servicemen and women.  Promises made, should be promises kept.  

 

Frequently, the federal budget process leads our veterans down a very uncertain road.  This year will be no exception.  The Fiscal Year 2006 budget provides grossly inadequate funding of health care for our nation’s sick and disabled veterans for yet another year.  Forcing spending cuts on veterans in order to pay for other priorities is a disservice to those who have served and who now serve abroad in the face of danger and perilous circumstances.  

 

I am most concerned about a proposal in the budget requiring veterans who receive service at V.A. facilities to pay a $250 annual enrollment fee to receive care.  Prescription co-payments would also increase to $15 from $7 for both individuals and families.  A veteran who fills three prescriptions per month would now pay $540 a year, as opposed to $250 under their current co-pay - a substantial hardship for a veteran on a fixed income. 

 

Our severely overburdened V.A. health care system cannot keep pace with growing demand, and funding cuts could result in even fewer staff at V.A. centers.  Positions lost through retirement and attrition are going unfilled despite a growing backlog of thousands of benefits claims.  This is alarming, especially when you consider that the baby boomers are right on the doorstep. 

 

In addition to correcting funding shortfalls, we need to strive for a more efficient, customer oriented system for veterans, so that benefits claims are processed quickly and veterans receive services when they need them. 

 

This year’s budget has revealed a challenging road ahead for our nation’s veterans.  Please know that as your Congressman I will work to reconcile these shortfalls and keep Oklahoma’s V.A. hospitals open and fully staffed with the best health care professionals that our state has to offer.     

 

No citizens have paid a higher price, nor invested a larger stake in America than those who have served in the U.S. Armed Services.  Keeping our country free and defeating tyranny around the world has cost us dearly through the years.  Our veterans have clearly earned quality health care, and I will continue to urge my colleagues to fulfill our commitment and protect funding for veterans healthcare as the budget process goes forward.   

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