Argumentative Essay On Vietnam Veterans

I would like to introduce myself; I am the wife, mother and caregivers of a Vietnam Veteran who honorable served this country during the Vietnam War. My husband medical condition as a result of his injury in Vietnam, took on a life of its own, for me and my family, trying to raise two small children, and hold down a full time job, became secondary to me because, my husband medical conditions was deteriorating every day, as it became apparent that he would need around the clock medical care.

Because this is my husband and we took the sacred vows until death do us part, I was not only his wife, and mother to his children but now I became his fulltime caregiver, as we work with the local VHA medical center conceptualizing his medical treatment plan. When Congress passed The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 the law only provided government assistance for the spouses of disabled veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan. It did not include caregivers of Vietnam veterans or prior wars.

Madam Chairman, I can only tell you my story, but believe that there are many more stories like mine, however, these hidden heroes, shine away from the lime light because they are unconditionally making the ultimate sacrifice for the one they love who defended this country.

VA Secretary, Shulkin in his May testimony before the House Veterans Affairs Committee, testified that his plans were to extend benefits to pre-9/11 caregivers Shulkin stated that “the caregivers program, which started in 2010, a tremendous success.” He also stated that,” it’s cheaper to keep veterans in their homes with caregivers than it is to move them to an outside facility. We are inclined to agree with the Secretary assessment, that veterans are more like to recover from their injuries, if they are not isolated in a hospital, but at home where they are cared by a love

one.

VVA, would suggest, the Advisory Committee, as they move forward to start the dialogue on expanding these benefits to pre 911 by working with Vietnam Veterans of America, the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America and other veterans group who support this expansion. We also suggest that you explore current VA benefits programs such as Aid And Attendance, VVA believes that there may be regulator fix to this issue, which may not require congressional approval that would provide benefits for these hidden caregivers, who many Vietnam veterans are alive today because their wives, or sisters, or other relative have been taking care of them for decades. Heretofore there was never any recognition of the fact that these veterans would either have had to enter into long term care or would have been on the street if not for the extraordinary efforts of these family caregivers.

Thank you for this opportunity to present before this Committee.