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Editor, News-Register:
As a past department commander for the American Legion in the Wheeling area, and a retired U.S. Navy chief petty officer, I'm well aware of the sacrifices made by our veterans in service to this country. That's why it shocks me to learn that our own U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs plans to jeopardize veteran health care by reducing reimbursement rates for ground and air emergency response and transport services in West Virginia and across the country.
Known as the "Change in Rates VA Pays for Special Modes of Transportation," the rule decreases reimbursement for air and ground ambulance services to Medicare rates and brings the rate for providers to less than 60% of operational costs in some cases. The rule also disallows payment for veterans transported to non-VA facilities.
Ambulance service is a lifeline to many in the more rural areas of our region and particularly important for veterans involved in accidents or suffering from traumatic injuries or elderly veterans who need specialty care.
Thankfully, Congress has introduced legislation to address the issue. The "VA Emergency Transportation Access Act" has been introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The bill will ensure proper review of the actual costs of transport and that new rates are confirmed to reflect the actual costs of transportation.
I urge Sens. Manchin and Capito and our House representatives to support, co-sponsor and pass this important legislation so veterans in West Virginia and across the country receive the care they sacrificed for and deserve.
John Powell
Past Commander
American Legion Post 1, Wheeling