Politics, Public Safety, Activism
Posted on Thursday, May 19th, 2011
By: Arturo (Treto) Garza
Greetings:
Veterans deposited 215 letters today at the Main Post Office in Harlingen, TX. These letters were gathered at Saturday’s VA/American Legion Health Fair held at Post 205 Hqtrs, in Harlingen, TX Joe Ibarra (Harlingen) and Treto Garza (Harlingen) verified the addresses and made sure that each letter was proper with postage. Irene T. Garza (Harlingen) then deposited the letters.
The letters are directed at Senator Patty Murray, Chairperson of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and asks that SB 396 (Cornyn) be placed on the Committee’s agenda for a vote in the Senate. Letters are also directed at Representative Jeff Miller, Chairperson of the Housed Veterans Affairs Committee and the sub-committee on Veterans Health, chaired by Ann Marie Buerkle. These letters ask that HB 837 (Hinojosa) be placed before their Committees’ agenda for a vote in the House. This is the third batch of letters that have been send out. Both bills call for an expansion of the Harlingen VA Surgical Center be created to a Full Service Medical Center. The bills have the full support of the local Congressional delegation as well as many local governments.
The first batch (100) of letters were send to the Legislative Directors of key members of the Veterans Affairs Committees in both Chambers. Those letters also ask that HB 837 and SB 396 be brought before the attention of their respective member of Congress. Veterans selected 10 members of each committee as targets.
The second batch of letters went to 10 key members of the House Sub-Committee of Veterans Health. The letters request that HB 837 be brought for a vote.
Also, 37 letters were sent to Rep.Buerkle that were gathered at two meetings earlier this month. They also ask the bill be placed before her committee’s agenda.
A total of 454 letters have been sent. It is hoped that enough interest is generated in case of local Congressional delegation decides to get co-sponsors for their bills. The bills must get out the committee. This will be a very positive step in our direction.
Veterans are hoping that their letters are enough to be considered an Outcry for help from Congress. Veterans have had bills filed in previous Sessions but died in committee. This time around, veterans are going straight to the Committees with their requests. “This is not the proper protocol to follow, but we must try everything to get our point across,” says Arturo Treto Garza. Ibarra states that the letter writing campaign dubbed Operation 10,10,10 will continue and asks veterans and their families to join in this effort. Veterans feel that they are close to victory, but do not want to take anything for granted. They will continue their quest for a Full Service Medical Center for the valley.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Did Anyone ask Obama about VA hospital for the Valley?
THE ONLY MEDIA OUTLET SOUTH OF SAN ANTONIO AT THE CAPITOL EVERY DAY COVERING THE 82ND LEGISLATURE
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Guardian News
Garza: Did anyone ask Obama about a VA hospital for the Valley?
By Arturo 'Treto' Garza
"You served our country bravely and now our country owes you." - Senator Barack Obama on various visits to Texas.
HARLINGEN, May 15 - The 2012 elections are fast approaching and already people are out on the campaign trail. It’s going to be another interesting election.
Last November, Republicans swept the polls in Texas and much of the country. They took control of the U.S. House of Representatives and gained seats in the U.S. Senate. Since then it appears the government has stalled somewhat. The only two things worth mentioning is first, we avoided a government shut down, and second Osama Bin Laden was killed. Other than that to the regular citizen there is not much happening, just bickering and arguing along party lines. And gasoline prices are way up high!
Veterans from South Texas should ask Congressman Henry Cuellar if he had a chance to speak to President Barack Obama on his visit to El Paso last week about a VA Full Medical Service Center for our region. It is my understanding that he was one of those invited to attend. The same question should be posed to state Rep. Eddie Lucio III, who did attend the El Paso event.
Obama promised on three separate occasions to support a VA hospital for South Texas. But that was back in 2008 when he was running for president. Now he comes to Texas to meet with voters in Austin and El Paso but with a catch to it, namely $1,000 a plate fee. It seems that Democrats in office that want to meet with their constituents always come up with these $1,000 plate meetings. I believe it’s done to keep the likes of us away. I mean who can afford $1,000 to attend? Or travel up to 700 miles one way?
When we met with Rep. Lucio at his office a while back, he was getting ready to travel up north, I believe to Utah to attend the Democratic National Committee meeting. He promised that he would discuss the VA hospital issue. He has promised that he would travel to Washington, D.C., to advocate for a VA hospital for South Texas. Are these two politicos just playing with the feelings of the veterans? They should wise up. Look what happened to Congressman Solomon Ortiz. The same thing could happen to them. They could get defeated. This goes for Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, too. Local veterans are getting tired of listening to promises. It’s time for action.
Legislation before Congress
Our congressional delegation has again filed bills in Congress for the creation of a Full Medical Service Center for deep South Texas. Two are identical. They are HB 837, filed in the House by Rep. Hinojosa, and S 396, filed in the Senate by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. Some say Hinojosa filed the bill in desperation after Cornyn filed his. The fact remains that he indeed filed the bill.
Another bill - HB 1318 by Cuellar – is perhaps more interesting. It calls for an urgent care center with 50 inpatient beds, a full range of services to meet the need of female veterans, and a day care center to provide respite for the caregivers that look after veterans. The bill asks that the VA’s Strategic Capital Investment Plan (SCIP) be the vehicle through which these improvements happen. Local VA officials are making plans to submit a proposal to the SCIP in August. The thing is that the proposal will have to compete with others from throughout the nation. The downside with this bill is that it passes the buck to the VA bureaucracy which could mean delay.
All of these pieces of legislation are commendable. The problem, however, is that the bills can sit in committee for a long time, with no movement. To the veterans of South Texas and residents generally, it appears no one is doing anything to move them. Now, some veterans want to do something about this apparent inertia.
Veterans have launched a letter writing campaign to three important committee chairs – U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Congressman Jeff Miller, chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle, chair of the Subcommittee on Veterans Health of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. The letters request that HB 837 and S 396 be placed on the agenda of their respective committees for discussion and a vote. If this occurs and they receive favorable votes in committee and then the full House and Senate they will be sent to the President for his signature.
The next step for veterans will be to send letters out to members of Congress who might want to join as co-sponsors and to all members of the Veteran Affairs committees. This will add to the online petition that is currently underway. Click here to view the petition. Anyone can sign, not just veterans.
There is work to be done and we must continue the battle. Some of the veterans are in it for the long haul, for the duration, or until the Good Lord calls us home.
Veterans do not be misled by other “veterans’ advocates” who say we have won the VA hospital issue. Not so. We still have a lot of work to do. Join us in this continued quest for a Full Medical Service Center in Harlingen to serve the veterans of South Texas.
Also, veterans, please register to vote. Do it now. We fought for democracy in other parts of the world, so let's put it to practice here. Do Not, Do Not be swayed by naysayers that tell you the VA hospital issue is a lost cause because once politicians get into office they do whatever they want. The reason is we let them. If need be let’s get rid of those types and get in new ones and keep vigilant.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! SUPPORT OUR VETERANS! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Arturo ‘Treto’ Garza is a former vice commander of the Veteran’s Alliance of the Rio Grande Valley. He served in the Vietnam War as a U.S. Marine. His Veteran’s Voice column appears exclusively in the Guardian.
© Copyright of the Rio Grande Guardian, www.riograndeguardian.com. Publisher: Steve Taylor. All rights reserved.
© 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Web design by TWRI
Powered by StoryPage
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Guardian News
Garza: Did anyone ask Obama about a VA hospital for the Valley?
By Arturo 'Treto' Garza
"You served our country bravely and now our country owes you." - Senator Barack Obama on various visits to Texas.
HARLINGEN, May 15 - The 2012 elections are fast approaching and already people are out on the campaign trail. It’s going to be another interesting election.
Last November, Republicans swept the polls in Texas and much of the country. They took control of the U.S. House of Representatives and gained seats in the U.S. Senate. Since then it appears the government has stalled somewhat. The only two things worth mentioning is first, we avoided a government shut down, and second Osama Bin Laden was killed. Other than that to the regular citizen there is not much happening, just bickering and arguing along party lines. And gasoline prices are way up high!
Veterans from South Texas should ask Congressman Henry Cuellar if he had a chance to speak to President Barack Obama on his visit to El Paso last week about a VA Full Medical Service Center for our region. It is my understanding that he was one of those invited to attend. The same question should be posed to state Rep. Eddie Lucio III, who did attend the El Paso event.
Obama promised on three separate occasions to support a VA hospital for South Texas. But that was back in 2008 when he was running for president. Now he comes to Texas to meet with voters in Austin and El Paso but with a catch to it, namely $1,000 a plate fee. It seems that Democrats in office that want to meet with their constituents always come up with these $1,000 plate meetings. I believe it’s done to keep the likes of us away. I mean who can afford $1,000 to attend? Or travel up to 700 miles one way?
When we met with Rep. Lucio at his office a while back, he was getting ready to travel up north, I believe to Utah to attend the Democratic National Committee meeting. He promised that he would discuss the VA hospital issue. He has promised that he would travel to Washington, D.C., to advocate for a VA hospital for South Texas. Are these two politicos just playing with the feelings of the veterans? They should wise up. Look what happened to Congressman Solomon Ortiz. The same thing could happen to them. They could get defeated. This goes for Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, too. Local veterans are getting tired of listening to promises. It’s time for action.
Legislation before Congress
Our congressional delegation has again filed bills in Congress for the creation of a Full Medical Service Center for deep South Texas. Two are identical. They are HB 837, filed in the House by Rep. Hinojosa, and S 396, filed in the Senate by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. Some say Hinojosa filed the bill in desperation after Cornyn filed his. The fact remains that he indeed filed the bill.
Another bill - HB 1318 by Cuellar – is perhaps more interesting. It calls for an urgent care center with 50 inpatient beds, a full range of services to meet the need of female veterans, and a day care center to provide respite for the caregivers that look after veterans. The bill asks that the VA’s Strategic Capital Investment Plan (SCIP) be the vehicle through which these improvements happen. Local VA officials are making plans to submit a proposal to the SCIP in August. The thing is that the proposal will have to compete with others from throughout the nation. The downside with this bill is that it passes the buck to the VA bureaucracy which could mean delay.
All of these pieces of legislation are commendable. The problem, however, is that the bills can sit in committee for a long time, with no movement. To the veterans of South Texas and residents generally, it appears no one is doing anything to move them. Now, some veterans want to do something about this apparent inertia.
Veterans have launched a letter writing campaign to three important committee chairs – U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Congressman Jeff Miller, chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle, chair of the Subcommittee on Veterans Health of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. The letters request that HB 837 and S 396 be placed on the agenda of their respective committees for discussion and a vote. If this occurs and they receive favorable votes in committee and then the full House and Senate they will be sent to the President for his signature.
The next step for veterans will be to send letters out to members of Congress who might want to join as co-sponsors and to all members of the Veteran Affairs committees. This will add to the online petition that is currently underway. Click here to view the petition. Anyone can sign, not just veterans.
There is work to be done and we must continue the battle. Some of the veterans are in it for the long haul, for the duration, or until the Good Lord calls us home.
Veterans do not be misled by other “veterans’ advocates” who say we have won the VA hospital issue. Not so. We still have a lot of work to do. Join us in this continued quest for a Full Medical Service Center in Harlingen to serve the veterans of South Texas.
Also, veterans, please register to vote. Do it now. We fought for democracy in other parts of the world, so let's put it to practice here. Do Not, Do Not be swayed by naysayers that tell you the VA hospital issue is a lost cause because once politicians get into office they do whatever they want. The reason is we let them. If need be let’s get rid of those types and get in new ones and keep vigilant.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! SUPPORT OUR VETERANS! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Arturo ‘Treto’ Garza is a former vice commander of the Veteran’s Alliance of the Rio Grande Valley. He served in the Vietnam War as a U.S. Marine. His Veteran’s Voice column appears exclusively in the Guardian.
© Copyright of the Rio Grande Guardian, www.riograndeguardian.com. Publisher: Steve Taylor. All rights reserved.
© 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Web design by TWRI
Powered by StoryPage
Monday, May 16, 2011
American Legions Post 205 & VA Health Fair
Harlingen News
Politics, Public Safety, Activism
Posted on Sunday, May 15th, 2011
By: Arturo (Treto) Garza
May 14, 2011
American Legion Post 205
Harlingen, TX
The Veterans Affairs TX Valley Coastal Bend Health Care Services and the American Legion Post 205 sponsored a Veterans Health Fair to enroll and inform veterans of benefits available. Jeff Milligan, Director, of the VA local clinics and Post Commander Raul Fonseca addressed the participants.
Commander Fonseca welcomed the veterans and stated that this was the first ever Health Fair and plans call for future annual Health Fairs. He also urged all veterans to pass the word that they must enroll for veterans benefits. Cmdr. Fonseca just recently took over post command from Cmdr. Tom Harrison. Cmdr. Harrison played a major role in setting up the Fair.
Milligan informed the veterans to make sure that all veterans are enrolled for health services. He stated that their service area has over 110,000 veterans and of those only 26,000 use the services. He exhorted the veterans to spread the word among other veterans to get them to sign up for health care through the newly created health care system. He continued that south Texas now has its own system with its own budget. In order for them to get more funds, veterans must step forward and utilize the benefits which they have earned through their service in the Armed Forces of America. He also stated that in June the new Surgical Center will be opened for inpatient surgery. At that time, they will have their first surgical procedure done. He is very optimistic as to the future of the TX Valley Coastal Bend Health Care Services. Even though the Surgical Center opened in January, they have not done any outpatient surgery because they were waiting for an inspection and accreditation by the Government of the facilities. Apparently, the Center passed and are ready for patients. Other services are being provided. He told the participants that there was VA personnel available to answer any questions. The VA also provided glucose and blood pressure checks. The VA benefits advisors were also present.
Other booths were available sponsored by Amigo Home Health Care Service, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Congressman Ruben Hinojosa’s office, Alfredo Gonzales Texas State Veterans Home, Bright Vista McAllen Medical Center, Valley Baptist Behavioral Health Services, and others.
The DAV provided information on Death Benefits for Survivors of Deceased Veterans and other VA compensation and health benefits. Pete Prax Garza, Commander of DAV Chapter 121 reminds all veterans that are receiving compensation benefits to make sure that they have their medical chart up to date as to service connected claims. This is important in case the veteran passes away and the spouse applies for survivors benefits. There have been many spouses that have experienced problems getting their deceased veteran’s benefits. Samuel Cardenas, DAV Veterans Service Officer is available at the VA clinic to provide assistance to veterans with their claims.
The Veterans Alliance of the Rio Grande Valley was able to obtain 218 signatures on letters to the Veterans Affairs Committees’ chairs asking that HB 837 and SB 396 be placed on their respective agenda for a vote. The bill asks for a Full Medical Services Center. Joe Ibarra, says that the fair health was successful because they were able to obtain 221 signed letters from veterans. The letters are being sent to the Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Chairwoman Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle of the House Sub-committee of Health and to Senator Patty Murray, Chairwoman of the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee. These bills are identical and call for an extension of the VA Surgical Center to a Full Service Medical Center in Harlingen, TX This is part of Operation 10,10,10 which to date has mailed 325 letters to members of the Veterans Affairs Committees. Veterans are making a very strong effort this time to try and get the bills out of committee. If voted favorably, the bills go before a Conference Committee of both Houses and since they are identical, it would not create any further discussion and could be send to the President. In past sessions, the bills died in committee.
Cmdr. Fonseca and Vice Commander Elugio Muniz were very pleased with the results and turnout at the Fair. The Post has been remodeled and they invite all to stop by. Also attending were Alex Trejo and Ruben Cantu of the recently created Harlingen Veterans Advisory Committee.
.
Politics, Public Safety, Activism
Posted on Sunday, May 15th, 2011
By: Arturo (Treto) Garza
May 14, 2011
American Legion Post 205
Harlingen, TX
The Veterans Affairs TX Valley Coastal Bend Health Care Services and the American Legion Post 205 sponsored a Veterans Health Fair to enroll and inform veterans of benefits available. Jeff Milligan, Director, of the VA local clinics and Post Commander Raul Fonseca addressed the participants.
Commander Fonseca welcomed the veterans and stated that this was the first ever Health Fair and plans call for future annual Health Fairs. He also urged all veterans to pass the word that they must enroll for veterans benefits. Cmdr. Fonseca just recently took over post command from Cmdr. Tom Harrison. Cmdr. Harrison played a major role in setting up the Fair.
Milligan informed the veterans to make sure that all veterans are enrolled for health services. He stated that their service area has over 110,000 veterans and of those only 26,000 use the services. He exhorted the veterans to spread the word among other veterans to get them to sign up for health care through the newly created health care system. He continued that south Texas now has its own system with its own budget. In order for them to get more funds, veterans must step forward and utilize the benefits which they have earned through their service in the Armed Forces of America. He also stated that in June the new Surgical Center will be opened for inpatient surgery. At that time, they will have their first surgical procedure done. He is very optimistic as to the future of the TX Valley Coastal Bend Health Care Services. Even though the Surgical Center opened in January, they have not done any outpatient surgery because they were waiting for an inspection and accreditation by the Government of the facilities. Apparently, the Center passed and are ready for patients. Other services are being provided. He told the participants that there was VA personnel available to answer any questions. The VA also provided glucose and blood pressure checks. The VA benefits advisors were also present.
Other booths were available sponsored by Amigo Home Health Care Service, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Congressman Ruben Hinojosa’s office, Alfredo Gonzales Texas State Veterans Home, Bright Vista McAllen Medical Center, Valley Baptist Behavioral Health Services, and others.
The DAV provided information on Death Benefits for Survivors of Deceased Veterans and other VA compensation and health benefits. Pete Prax Garza, Commander of DAV Chapter 121 reminds all veterans that are receiving compensation benefits to make sure that they have their medical chart up to date as to service connected claims. This is important in case the veteran passes away and the spouse applies for survivors benefits. There have been many spouses that have experienced problems getting their deceased veteran’s benefits. Samuel Cardenas, DAV Veterans Service Officer is available at the VA clinic to provide assistance to veterans with their claims.
The Veterans Alliance of the Rio Grande Valley was able to obtain 218 signatures on letters to the Veterans Affairs Committees’ chairs asking that HB 837 and SB 396 be placed on their respective agenda for a vote. The bill asks for a Full Medical Services Center. Joe Ibarra, says that the fair health was successful because they were able to obtain 221 signed letters from veterans. The letters are being sent to the Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Chairwoman Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle of the House Sub-committee of Health and to Senator Patty Murray, Chairwoman of the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee. These bills are identical and call for an extension of the VA Surgical Center to a Full Service Medical Center in Harlingen, TX This is part of Operation 10,10,10 which to date has mailed 325 letters to members of the Veterans Affairs Committees. Veterans are making a very strong effort this time to try and get the bills out of committee. If voted favorably, the bills go before a Conference Committee of both Houses and since they are identical, it would not create any further discussion and could be send to the President. In past sessions, the bills died in committee.
Cmdr. Fonseca and Vice Commander Elugio Muniz were very pleased with the results and turnout at the Fair. The Post has been remodeled and they invite all to stop by. Also attending were Alex Trejo and Ruben Cantu of the recently created Harlingen Veterans Advisory Committee.
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