There can be no dispute our
veterans are living longer than a couple of decades ago. And there is no argument they deserve every cent of medical coverage the veterans hospitals Should offer them. The
problem for the modern
day health
care system is monies are not as freely
given as once was. Unless a patient is admitted for emergency reasons the procedure can take weeks just to be seen.
Those declared to be eligible under service connected conditions are subject to greater scrutiny than once was. Vietnam and Korean era
war servicemen had to fight for every bit of assistance they received after the 1980's. It was then the spiral of care began to twist out of control. The late 80's and early 90's saw an influx of new patients thanks to the Gulf War. Add this to an already overworked case load at the facilities and the problem just grows deeper.
It seems ironic that so many men and women given so much of their lives to give us freedom only to be told there is no money to cover their ailments. The powers to be can send men into outer space, give funds to foreign countries to heal their sick, yet find it difficult to take care of the brave servicemen and women protecting liberty.
We now come to those young soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. What do we say to them? How do we
answer their cries for help? Do we make them file stacks of paper work and stand in line like the others?
Yes, more money is finally being put into the coffers. It is true veterans are getting more respect. But it it still not enough. We have to insure every veteran of every war, regardless of the circumstances, gets the proper care. It is fine to praise them on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. The legislators sitting on committees must remember who elected them, veterans and thier families. The First to Answer the call should be the Last to be Cut.
More summaries about the the first to be cut