James Call
U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham announced Wednesday she had filed her first congressional legislation: a measure helping injured military veterans and 2nd District nursing schools. The proposal would boost the number of recovery coordinators assisting veterans in receiving their medical and other benefits.
The Veterans Benefits Administration’s St. Petersburg Regional Office is among the nation’s busier claims processing centers. A July 2014 report noted that more than half of the 33,000 veterans filing claims waited at least 125 days and that there was a backlog of nearly 21,000 appeals.
“This legislation shows those who have served or are considering serving in the military that we have their backs,” said Graham. “Expanding the recovery coordinator program will help our most seriously injured veterans cut through the VA’s bureaucratic red tape.”
The idea for veteran recovery coordinator came from a presidential panel formed after complaints of bureaucratic neglect of patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The Dole/Shalala report published in 2007 called for a corps of experts to coordinate medical care, rehabilitation, administrative paperwork and help the severely injured reintegrate into society.
Graham’s proposal would increase the number of coordinators and mandate the VA works with colleges that have nursing programs to create a curriculum to train coordinators. Graham’s district includes colleges and universities in Tallahassee, Panama City and Chipola that have nursing programs.
The bureaucratic problems for the severely wounded can range from additional paperwork to conflicting guidance. A 2011 GAO report documented cases where a quadriplegic waited 70 days for paperwork confirming he had lost four limbs. Another veteran had five case managers working on the same insurance claim.
The Dole/Shalala report found the transition from the military to civilian life for the injured is further complicated by a need to relocate and find health care, housing and employment. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that that the suicide rate for military veterans is nearly twice as high as the general population rate.
“Our educational mission is to meet the diverse needs throughout the communities we serve, and as the population of veterans increases every year, we are proud to help facilitate the care and recovery of those who have served their country,” said Dr. John Holdnak of Gulf Coast State College about the Graham proposal.
HR 914 is co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado and has been endorsed by the Wounded Warrior Project.
