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Senator to VA: Reimburse veterans
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| | | Sen. Chuck Schumer greeting veterans in Stony Brook on Tuesday. Photo by Patricia Proven (click for larger version) | |
February 17, 2009 | 07:00 PM
Severely injured veterans who might have received extended health benefits and, in some cases, free nursing care since 2006 have instead shelled out thousands of dollars in medical payments themselves, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) said.
During a Feb. 17 visit to the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook, Schumer claimed that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs never spelled out how a new, federally mandated reimbursement plan would work for 135 state veterans homes across the country.
Without those regulations, states could not file for reimbursements, Schumer's spokesman Gerry Petrella said. As a result, veterans have paid for their own care out of retirement savings and social security benefits, according to claims.
Schumer aims not only to force the VA's compliance with the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act, but also to have the agency pay back veterans for costs they have incurred since former President Bush signed the bill Dec. 22, 2006.
The legislation applies to veterans who are 70 percent or more "service-connected" disabled, of which there are 4,859 on Long Island.
Eight veterans at the Stony Brook University-based facility, including Robert Ross, previously of Stony Brook, paid a combined $230,000 for their care since 2006, according to a statement. Six residents at the federal Northport VA Medical Center also fall into the category eligible for the expanded reimbursement, regional VA spokesman John Mazzulla said.
At the Stony Brook University-based home, Schumer said, "There's a long list of people who want to get in here. They should not tell you the only way you can get in here is to deplete everything you've worked for your whole lives."
SBU's president, Shirley Strum Kenny, said that even one dollar is too many paid by a veteran classified with high-priority health care needs. "Their care should be free," Kenny said. "Shame on all the bureaucrats who have allowed this iniquity to be perpetuated."
Expressing dismay that the legislation was not implemented under former VA secretaries James Nicholson and Dr. James Peake, Long Island State Veterans Home Executive Director Fred Sganga said, "Sen. Schumer, today you have answered our call."
In turn, Schumer said he left a message with VA Secretary (Gen.) Eric Shinseki's office and is awaiting a reply.
"When they call back, I'm going to tell them we want this law implemented now!"
He acknowledged how advances in medical care have improved the quality of life for aging veterans, yet at higher cost than ever, but also described service men and women — whether volunteers or draftees, like World War II Army veteran Ross — as never asking how much it would cost them to serve their country.
"[The VA] shouldn't be balancing the budget or whatever they're doing on your strong backs," Schumer remarked.
Connecting with many a wheelchair-bound patient on Tuesday through their shared background of Brooklyn and baseball, the lawmaker said he was humbled and a little embarrassed at their applause for him because, "I should be applauding you."
Then, with a nod to American veterans, from the farmers who fought on Bunker Hill 233 years ago to soldiers returning from strife in the Middle East today, he said, "We owe you everything. … Our great country will not remain if we forget our veterans. Unfortunately, that's what's happened here. We should be there for you. In 2006, Congress said just that."
A call to the federal VA office was not returned by press time but, according to a Long Island State Veterans Home release, "VA staff has indicated to Sen. Schumer's office that the regulations are undergoing the Office of Management and Budget review process."
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