By U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe
(R-Maine)
Every American owes a debt of gratitude to the men and women of our armed forces who have served and sacrificed in defense of our nation. America’s veterans have bravely fought to ensure the freedom and safety of future generations, and it is our solemn responsibility to honor and care for them. As a country, we have a duty to provide our soldiers with the equipment and healthcare they need and deserve. That is why I have worked diligently to ensure that veterans in Maine and across the country receive the very best when returning from overseas. Earlier this year, the Department of Veterans Affairs experienced a computer software programming error that omitted prescription drug charges to about 3,000 Maine veterans. During this time, I heard from a number of constituents who were rightfully concerned that they would be unable to pay these large sums while living on fixed budgets. At a time when health care costs are soaring across the nation, it was imperative that the VA acknowledged the hardship this may pose to Maine’s veterans.
Not only was it unacceptable for Maine veterans to be penalized for the VA’s mistake, but it was reprehensible that the VA would not rectify this problem immediately. That is why last June, I wrote to Department of Veterans’ Affairs Secretary R. James Nicholson requesting that the VA issue a blanket waiver for all Maine veterans affected by the VA’s mistake. I urged Secretary Nicholson to understand that an error of this magnitude would pose a grave hardship for the men and women in Maine who simply could not afford this financial burden. With our servicemen and women giving so much to our country, it is imperative that we do all that we can to ensure they receive the very best care and services at all times.
This week, I received a letter from Secretary Nicholson stating that the Department of Veterans Affairs had decided to waive the fees, cease all collection efforts and refund those veterans who had already paid their billing, either in part or in whole. This announcement is great news for Maine Veterans who were unfairly billed last year through no fault of their own. Our country has a solemn obligation to always put the needs of our veterans first and I am pleased that the VA provided this just relief for our Maine heroes.
The VA is in the process of alerting the affected Maine veterans that all medication co-payment charges created as a result of this back billing that are still outstanding or included in a repayment plan will be cancelled and refunded within ninety days. I am currently working with my staff and the VA to help Maine veterans get these refunds in a timely manner and will continue to do all that I can to ensure that our veterans are not charged or billed unfairly for problems that are out of their control.
As I stated in my original letter to Secretary Nicholson, since its inception in 1930, the Department of Veterans Affairs has demonstrated the enormous obligation that our nation holds for its veterans – and we must never fail to remember that obligation each day. We can do no less for the brave Americans currently serving overseas and the Veterans who have bravely gone than to do everything in our power to treat every hero with dignity and respect.
Again, I continue to give special thanks to our veterans nationwide for their service, sacrifice, and their commitment to defending our nation. We owe them the very best and should, each and everyday, work to fulfill our commitment to our courageous veterans.
