South Texas Congressmen Not Helping Veterans

As time goes by, so does the patience's of many veterans of south Texas.  Veterans here have been advocating for a Veterans Affairs hospital for the area so that they do not have to travel 250 miles for acute care services.  They have reached out to their congressmen time and time again, yet no results.  The Congressmen file bills in the House but they are never moved or acted on.  What can be done so that our Congressmen show a little interest in the bills that they file or co-sponsor.

Congressman Rubén Hinojosa

Once again Congressman Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15) has met with President Barack Obama. Again on creating legislation. “It is a great honor for me to have been invited by President Obama to the signing of an historic Bill at the Reagan International Trade Center,” said Rep. Hinojosa. He was invited to Join President Obama at Signing of Wall Street Reform-Consumer Protection Act Into Law U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) joined President Barack Obama for the signing of “The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act,” also known as the Dodd-Frank Act. So, why did he not mention to the President or his key staff about the bill that he has co-sponsored to bring a VA hospital to south Texas ever since he has been in office. It probably did not even cross his mind.

Hinojosa also stated “I’m on the side of working families – protecting consumers from fraud and providing Texans with financial security,” said Rep. Hinojosa. I believe there is more work to be done… He probably believes that there are no working veterans with families that need the services of a VA hospital in his district. (My congressional district to which I have invited him on several occasions to come and meet with his constituency and has not answered the request.) If he could not get the attention of the President, the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi was there also. He could have asked her to intervene and tell the President about the VA clincic for South Texas.  After all, Congresswoman Nacny Pelosi also told veterans that she supported their efforts and as long as she was Speaker that no man would be left behind..

Congressman Solomon Ortiz

I used to belong to Congressman Solomon Ortiz (TX-27) before the gerrymandering of the districts. We wound up with Hinojosa. Not that this makes any difference, Ortiz has also had many opportunities to help the veterans get a VA hospital but has turned the other cheek. So in essence, neither of them want to help. Ortiz has submitted legislation continuously since he has been in office. But it has never made it out of a sub-committee. It has not even been brought for a vote. Veterans had asked him to push for a vote for them to find out if the Veterans Affairs Committee was in favor or against. Nada, nothing, it’s just there. They should just forget about filing it again and look for other ways to bring the VA hospital to the area.

In both of these districts most of the people believe that a VA hospital for the area is way overdue. All local elected politicians are of the same opinion and have voiced their support for it. Veterans are well respected in our community, which is one of the most patriotic in the nation. Yet, these two Congressmen (our Congressmen ?) just give us lip service on the issue. It’s time for their constituents to bring this matter before him. No more excuses from either one of them. No more promises from them. Either help the veteran or stop making excuses and admit that you can’t handle it. Can you handle the truth? Here it is. Veterans are tired of waiting for a VA hospital. Many veterans have gone to their grave with their dream and promises of a VA hospital coming to the valley. You did not keep your word to them, but what about the veterans that is still here? Veterans have presented a common sense solution to it. They need your vigorous support on it. The solution is to add emergency and inpatient medical services to the large expansion being done at the Harlingen Veterans Administration Out Patient Clinic (VAOPC).

The new construction is huge and could easily be adapted to a fully fledged hospital. But only if someone pushes the idea to Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki. I mean someone with power like these two Congressmen. The city of Harlingen has gone on record in support of this plan at the VAOPC. The state of Texas is willing to help make this plan a reality and our local state legislators stand ready to help.

We have done everything possible from our end. It’s time for our Congressmen to really start working toward that end.

VA reaches out to rural veterans

VA reaches out to rural veterans

Veterans Advisory Board

The city of Harlingen is setting up a veterans advisory board. Some people are saying that they have been appointed to it. But there has been nothing on the news regarding the selection process and/or qualifications of proposed members. Does anyone know anything about this?

U S CONGRESSMEN

Do you think that Congressmen Solomon Ortiz and Ruben Hinojosa are doing everything they can to help veterans get the VA hospital that is needed for our area? What do you think they should do to insure that the Veterans Affairs addresses this need?

Congressman Ortiz has filed a bill in the House of Representatives for the past several sessions. Congressman Hinojosa always signs on as a co-sponsor. The problem is that the bills are read in the House and assigned to a sub-committee. In this instance its the Veterans Affairs Health subcommitte. Supposedly at this level the bill is to be discussed and voted on its merits. It has to be brought up for a vote or else it will not be moved. Congressman Ortiz' bill is never moved. It just remains dormant and no action whatsoever is taken. THIS IS NOT LEGISLATION! All this is just to answer to the pressures of the constituents.

What happens is that veterans get discouraged because nothing is done. They do not understand the legislative process and no one takes time to explain it to them. Ortiz and Hinojosa always tell us that there are other more pressing bills before the House that take precedent and are more important. Yes, they might be to others, but what about the veterans. How long must they wait in line to get their bill passes?

Compensation and Health benefits

Every veteran should apply for health care benefits through the Veterans Affairs health care system. The VA believes in preventative health care and its goal is to insure that veterans are taken care of before their conditions become chronic. Veterans should not wait until they really have to go to a doctor to start seeking medical care. This is one of the major problems faced at the clinics. When veterans become sick and they go to the VA clinics they want to be treated and taken care of right away. After all they are veterans. The problem however is that a veteran must be registered in order to be attended. It is a simple task. All the veteran has to do is fill out a VA 1010EZ form to apply for medical benefits. This short questionairre will determine in which category you will be assigned to. There are different classifications/categories. Some require a co-pay while most do not. But the VA must determine this. Once you fill the application and submit it, an appointment will set for you for your initial contact. This is important because you will be assigned your health care provider. Your health care provider will be possibly the most important person in your care. He decides the care to be afforded you. Your health care provider is a general practicioner and he will determine whether you have to be referred to a specialist. You will undergo a full physical upon enrollment. So, you must apply now and not wait until you are sick. If you wait until you are sick, you will be treated as a walk in and if referred to a hospital you will have to pay for those services. So avoid all these problems and register as soon as possible. Tell other veterans to do the same. And none of this, "I don't need it, there are others that need it more than I". This will not help you when you will need these services. So, step up and register now.

Service connected medical conditions qualify for disability compensation. This is a totally different program and veterans have to apply for it using a different form. The most important matter here is whether your condition can be traced to an illness or treatment while in the service. Or if you were injured or hurt while in the service and sought medical care. Many a times your records will not be found, but do not let this deter you. File anyway and then seek the necessary evidence. If you are applying for PTSD you will need a strong stressor letter to pinpoint which trauma may have caused your PTSD.

Most counties have Veterans Service Officers working with the Texas Veterans Commission that provide free consultation and assistance to all veterans. Do not be shy, if you need help make an appointment see one of them. Some Veterans organizations like the DAV and American Legion also have veterans that are trained and certified to assist with claims. The two valley clinics have VSO on premises.

There is help out there and you should seek it. Do not wait for the Veterans Affairs to come knocking on your door and explaining to you your hard earned benefits. Not gonna happen G I.

If you can not find anyone to help you, contact us through this blog and we will get someone to assist you. We'll monitor the claim and make sure that it gets worked on.