Loss of ambulance benefit would mean hardship for veterans
There are millions and millions of veterans who live in our communities, and many of them have been part of a war effort that endeavored to secure peace and support human rights throughout the world.
From the Korean War, to Vietnam, to the Gulf Wars and smaller engagements in between, our heroes returned from conflict to live among us in the peace and prosperity they personally sacrificed to ensure.
Too many live with serious medical issues that require constant medical care. And many others have progressed to an age where they now require special medical attention. They rely upon the Veterans Affairs department to provide them with the medical care they need to live a more normal life. And the VA has always worked with veterans on an individual basis to make sure they receive the ongoing care they need.
But that is about to change early next year when the VA severs a critical life line that veterans with chronic health issues rely upon for medical care.
The VA plans to cut out almost all of the reimbursements for ambulances. Let me illustrate what this means with a common place example. A Gulf War veteran who suffered a terrible injury two decades ago still requires ongoing medical treatment at a health clinic to make the effects of that injury more manageable. But today that hero is not healthy enough to easily make the trip to the clinic. Safe travel, even a short 30-minute trip to the clinic, requires oxygen and oversight from a trained EMT.
For thousands upon thousands of Illinoisans and millions of veterans throughout the U.S., the solution is a private ambulance. And, while the VA has paid for the cost of ambulances since its inception, it now has plans in place to end that benefit which will imperil the health and safety of too many veterans to count.
Most veterans did not get rich serving in the military. They do not represent a special class of affluent people with lots of disposable income. It's not difficult to forecast the outcome when veterans are faced with the new reality of dipping into their meager assets to get medical care. Many will switch to less safe modes of transportation and many more will choose to forego the medical care they require.
The further away one gets from major metro areas, the worse the problem is. I live in the St. Charles area where suburbia meets farmland. While veterans live everywhere, they concentrate more in rural areas. A problem with rural areas is, as any farmer will tell you, when you call the police or fire department, they're not going to be at your door in five minutes.
Hospitals and clinics are fewer and farther in between. In areas where they grow row crops, which is the majority of our state, the trip to the doctor can be an hour drive or more.
The private ambulance industry's response to the VA's plans to cut reimbursements for ambulances suggests that it will not just be veterans who are affected. Veterans represent a large segment of the private ambulance industry's customer base with almost all of the payments made by the VA. Remove the VA and the ambulance companies predict that many geographies will no longer be viable markets so service for all residents will cease.
The public championing of our military heroes does warm the hearts of military service people and veterans like myself. But the attention they need today from all Americans is to signal that VA plans to slash reimbursements for ambulances are unacceptable.
Elected government officials must be encouraged to support legislation (House Bill #5530 and Senate Bill #2757) that will halt cuts to benefits of health compromised veterans currently set to take effect in February of 2024. All of our representatives have online websites that accept notes from constituents. Please write yours today and let them know that our veterans can't manage unless VA ambulance benefits remain intact. Ask them to co-sponsor and support these bills.
• Jim Flood, of St. Charles, served in the U.S. military for six years and is active in advocating for veterans' issues.