Our representative in Washington, Mike Michaud, D-2nd District, has introduced legislation to fund veterans’ health care in a timely fashion. H.R. 1016 would authorize Congress to approve VA medical care appropriations one year in advance of the start of each fiscal year. An advance appropriation would provide the VA with up to a year to plan how to deliver the most efficient and effective care to an increasing number of veterans with complex medical conditions.

Michaud has been pushing this idea for years, because uneven budget cycles and funding shortfalls have contributed to the rationing of VA health care. On average, injured veterans now wait 18 months for VA benefits to kick in. Incredible!

As a longtime peace activist, I am deeply concerned about the effect of our collective failure to care for those who have been involved in combat. As a history teacher I know that most veterans do not receive the care and benefits they are promised when they enlist. I would love to see us do a good job of caring for the many Maine men and women who joined the military out of economic necessity. Their children are often my students, and the effect on the family of a veteran with brain injuries, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or other health problems who waits months or years for VA benefits is devastating — sometimes even deadly.

I appreciate Michaud taking the lead on this important reform.

Lisa Savage

Solon