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March 16, 2010 - Maine Congressman Mike Michaud has introduced a bill to right a wrong being done to veterans. The 70% Program is having the opposite effect for which it was designed and forces state veteran's homes to make a very difficult choice: turn away veterans in need or lose millions of dollars.
The "70% Program" was designed to help severely disabled veterans with service-connected injuries get more access to better treatment. The program, however, spawned some very unfortunate and inadvertent consequences:
Veterans over 70% disabled are being refused access to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical care due to VA regulations. For veterans over 70% disabled, the VA will only reimburse two-thirds the cost of their care which forces state veteran's homes to operate at a loss.
Because the VA will not reimburse the state homes for what they expend in taking care of these severely disabled veterans, they must turn these veterans away from their doors. VA homes nurture a community for veterans and it is a place where many veterans would prefer to be when in need of care.
According to the CEO of Maine's 6 veteran homes, admitting everyone needing care would cause them to lose about $8 - $16 million dollars a year and would force them to file bankruptcy.
The legislation introduced would ensure state veteran's homes would be completely reimbursed for their costs in caring for these disabled veterans. Testimony to the Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health laid out the financial cost of passing this legislation:
These veterans went to war for their country when their country needed them. The veterans are now asking their country be there for them in their time of need. The fate of this legislation rests on the idea that there is no price too high for this country to pay in order to take care of their veterans.
Soldiers can return home with a number of conditions, injuries, and aggravated preexisting conditions. If you believe you have a service-connected physical or psychological injury you may be entitled to Veterans’ Disability Compensation.
At LaVan and Neidenberg, we are determined to secure veterans their rightful disability compensation and disability rating. We wrote this book for you! In it you will find valuable tips on how to navigate the claims process and avoid common pitfalls. Request your FREE copy today!
Or, complete our short contact form or call us directly at 1.888.234.5758 to schedule your FREE case evaluation.
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