VA should take responsibility for treating injured veterans

VA should take responsibility for treating injured veterans

EDITOR:

Much of the media’s coverage of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq centers around the death toll of American service members. The same statement remains true as Americans face an increasingly aggressive enemy in Afghanistan. As a valley journalist who served as a U.S. Army Officer, I understand the reason behind this reporting style — the death toll represents a measurable assessment of an American’s ultimate sacrifice for his or her country. A number.

The wars have touched more than the families of the deceased veterans. The Pentagon reports 4,260 Americans died in Iraq to date. Another 659 died worldwide in such locations as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan in Operation Enduring Freedom. There’s an underreported number behind those wars — the Americans wounded in the line of the duty. Just under 34,000 Americans suffered some injury in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. Many of these wounded warriors will require continuing medical treatment for their injuries following their military service.

Several media reports indicate the White House is considering a proposal to make veterans use their private insurance companies to pay for combat and service-related injuries. Naturally, veterans organizations such as The American Legion aggressively oppose the idea. In this era of conservative fears of socialized healthcare, the opposite may be a reality for our country’s wounded warriors.

Service members volunteer to do what so few Americans are willing to do — sacrifice everything including their lives for our country. Shifting the burden from the Veterans Administration to private health insurance companies is appalling. The plan would generate a reported $540 million for the federal government. The almost 34,000 wounded service members of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom deserve better than this plan when they leave the military. They made a commitment to their country. Any attempt by the federal government to cut corners to provide for their war wounds is a tragedy within itself.

No amount for our government to care for them is too high. Some things are not as simple as a number for the thousands of wounded warriors from the present wars and those who will join their ranks in the future.

JASON KELLY

Youngstown

‘Mythical abortion bill’ is aimed at distracting public

EDITOR:

When a letter to the editor starts with false information, we should not be surprised to see a misrepresentation of facts throughout its content (Concern for Life, March 6). Congress isn’t about to pass the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) because no such bill has been introduced. In the absence of real legislation to instigate the anti-choice movement, FOCA is being positioned to distract us from the real and critical work of Congress currently — pulling America out of our economic crisis. Time magazine (Feb .19, 2009) calls this the mythical abortion bill.

The writer continues by incorrectly asserting that Margaret Sanger and, by extension, Planned Parenthood is racist. Pamela Merritt, an African-American writer for RH Reality Check, wrote on Feb. 14, 2008, that these charges are a kind of “intellectual mold that flourishes in the absence of facts”.

Considering the misrepresentations throughout the March 6 letter, I would advise readers to do their own research on these issues and come to their own conclusions. Planned Parenthood is an important safety net provider with a mission deeply rooted in the philosophy of equality for all and our doors are open to everyone.

ALEXA SWEENEY BLACKANN

Poland

X The writer is a board member of Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio.