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OREGON LAWMAKER WANTS DISABLED VETERANS TO
HAVE STATE HEALTHCARE -- Oregon would be
the first state to provide a comprehensive
medical plan for all disabled vets.
Oregon State Capitol Building in Salem
Story here...
http://www.salem-news.com/
articles/january282007/
disabledveterans_012807.php
Story below:
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Oregon Lawmaker Proposes Disabled Veterans Health Care Reform
Oregon would be the first state to provide a
comprehensive medical plan for all disabled veterans.
Salem-News.com Capitol Watch
(SALEM) - Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville)
proposes bold changes to the way Oregon’s disabled veterans receive
health care.
“We are now working with the Oregon War Veterans Association to draft a
bill that would allow all disabled veterans access to the Oregon Health
Plan,” Representative Nelson said.
“Many of our disabled veterans live in rural communities far removed
from regional V.A. medical centers.
But because these brave men and women are eligible for V.A. benefits,
they are denied use of the Oregon Health Plan.”
There are an estimated 40,000 disabled veterans living in Oregon.
For many medical procedures, veterans must travel to either the Portland
or Roseburg V.A. medical center in order to receive V.A. funded
treatment.
Representative Nelson explained, “this proposal would allow those who
have sacrificed so much to receive treatment locally, rather than at
clinics half-way across the state.”
Greg Warnock, the President of the Oregon War Veterans Association,
believes this plan is long overdue.
“Veterans living in rural communities have suffered long enough,” said
Warnock. “If disabled veterans had access to the Oregon Health Plan,
their medical needs could easily be met from within their own
communities.”
Other veterans groups support the idea. “Allowing disabled veterans to
join the Oregon Health Plan would provide a valuable resource for
disabled veterans in rural areas,” said Kevin O’Reilly, the government
relations director for Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America.
“Many of these veterans have difficulty in accessing health care through
the V.A. due to extended travel times. Plus, those with limited incomes
can face a huge financial burden meeting travel costs.”
Other states, such as Illinois, provide health insurance programs for
certain veterans who have no other form of coverage.
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Larry Scott
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