Looking Out For Veterans: Obama Concerned New Budget Would Continue To Hamper Benefits
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Southern Illinoisan
BY NICOLE SACK
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS -- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama is continuing his effort to protect the benefits of veterans in Illinois and the nation.
On Monday, the freshman senator made his sixth public appearance to discuss the plight of veterans in the wake of President Bush's budget, which would double prescription co-payments and creating an "enrollment fee" of $250 to enter the veterans affairs health care program.
Obama will again have the opportunity today to question newly confirmed VA Secretary Jim Nicholson at the Veterans Affairs hearing.
Before Bush released his budget -- tight on domestic spending -- on Feb. 7, Obama was already working toward greater benefits for Illinois veterans. A report from the Chicago Sun-Times revealed Illinois vets received disproportionately low disability compensation when compared to other parts of the nation.
Armed with the information that Illinois ranked 50th out of 52 states and territories in compensation pay, Obama made the rounds to meet with vets in the state to hear their perspective. He took those concerns with him to Washington and placed them at the feet of Nicholson. Nicholson has pledged to find out why Illinois veterans are being left behind.
However, Obama sees new hurdles if Bush's budget passes. He cited the budget proposes cutting $351 million from veterans' nursing homes and the eliminating $100 million in state grants needed by VA facilities across the state and nation.
As troops return from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Obama said the need for care will continue to grow.
"It is not only our patriotic duty to provide this care, it is our moral duty at the most fundamental level," Obama said. "I don't think any of us would ever want to look a veteran in the eye -- someone who has fought and bled for this country -- and tell them we simply can't afford to provide them with the care they need."
In Southern Illinois, veterans are having the same types of conversations with themselves. Bill Huffstutler of Herrin had a lunchtime drink among friends. He said he is beginning to see a change at the VA hospital and is beginning to feel it in his wallet.
"I use the VA and overall their services have been pretty good," said the 75-year-old World War II veteran. "But then all of a sudden it is costing me $15 per doctor's visit. It used be that I could see a doctor and it wouldn't cost me anything. To me, that is not right."
Huffstutler said he has followed the news about the disparities in the pay of Illinois veterans and the situation troubles him. Illinois' sick and wounded veterans annually receive an average disability payment nearly $5,000 less than veterans in Puerto Rico.
"A veteran is a veteran. It doesn't matter where you live or where you served," he said. " Nobody is happy under the current situation. I think it is going to get worse before it gets better, the way things are going."
nicole.sack@thesouthern.com 618-351-5816