WASHINGTON - Paul A. Morin, of Chicopee, told a Senate panel yesterday that the federal government will turn some old and ailing veterans into paupers if it doesn't do more to help veterans pay for long-term care.
As the legion's newly elected national commander, Morin was invited by the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs to present the American Legion's recommendations for funding priorities for fiscal 2008, which begins October 2007.
"Congress should act now to ensure that we, as a nation, will always provide the funding necessary to ensure the complete care for those who seek timely access to quality health care through the VA health care delivery system," Morin said.
Morin is taking a year's leave of absence from his job as superintendent of the Soldiers Home in Holyoke to serve in the Legion post. He was introduced to the panel by U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield.
Morin said that under the existing funding system, veterans are covered for six months of long-term care in VA facilities or at home.
After that, veterans have to pay all their long-term care expenses, and often are forced to spend down their life savings to qualify for Medicaid.
Morin submitted a 28-page document to serve as a blueprint for funding. U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, is the committee's chair.
During two hours of testimony, Morin said that federal funding for health care for the nation's veterans was grossly inadequate. He said veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as those who fought in World War II are paying the price.
"A new generation of young Americans is once again deployed around the world, answering the nation's call to arms," Morin said.
"Unfortunately, without urgent changes in health care federal funding, new veterans will soon discover their battles are not over," Morin said. "They will be forced to fight for the life of the VA health care system."
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, a member of the Senate panel, remarked that "frankly, if the Administration had listened to the American Legion over the past few years, we could have avoided the budget shortfalls that veterans have faced."
"For me, I think one of the most disturbing findings is that the VA kept assuring us in Congress that everything was fine - while inside the VA it was clear that shortfalls were growing," Murray described in written testimony.
She said that the Veterans Administration became aware in October 2004 of its funding deficiency but didn't "admit those problems until June of 2005."