RE: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,81757,00.html

02-27-2009

Subject: VA Health Insurance

Dear Mr. President

I worked 38 years without ever drawing one thin dime from the government. In July, 2008, I was laid off from my place of employment and therefore needing health insurance. I served in the Army from 1966 to 1970. I contacted the Department of Veterans Affairs to see about getting health insurance through the VA. I was told that all Veterans are listed under 8 categories. I was listed as a Priority Group 8, and Priority Group 8 is the only group that does not qualify for VA Insurance. All 7 other groups qualify.

I watched your speech and heard you say that those that serve their country or their community will be able to qualify for government assistance in many ways. You can imagine how I feel about this. How about assistance for those folks that have already served? I gave four years of my life to this country of which three of those years were spent in Turkey, nowhere near my family. This was also during a time in which many refused to serve, but I enlisted.

I was told by Senator Bill Nelson from Florida that Representative Kuhl introduced H.R. 1382, the Mandatory Funding for Veterans Act of 2007, which would qualify my group for VA Insurance. I was told that the Senate must also pass this bill. I have no idea if this is fact or where this stands.

I think it’s time to take care of those that already served their country before we start passing out assistance for others. Please consider this request and understand how anyone in my situation would feel about your proposal to assist others while we, who already served, are left out.

Respectfully,

Robert Stewart
738 Turkey Creek
Alachua, Florida 32615
386-462-4801
gogators738@windstream.net