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.
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