August 13, 2026

Letter: Congress should listen to concerns of veterans

My last visit was July 20. At that time a clerk asked about my financial assets. Yesterday I received a bill from the VA for that visit.

Before that visit my medication and visits were at no charge to me. I called and asked why the charge and it seems that because I have some assets, I have entered a new category established by an act of Congress which says that I can now afford to pay my own bills.

I was rather irate and called the clerk. She said that she receives many calls about this.

When I went into the service, no one asked about my assets. When I became ill, no one asked about my assets. And when I was discharged, no one asked about my financial assets. I am now being penalized because I have some assets, though I am not wealthy.

How many of our esteemed, illustrious, distinguished and honorable members of Congress have served in the U.S. Armed Forces? Congress, and especially the men that drafted this legislation and those that passed it, should hide their heads in shame for passage of this infamous and perfidious act involving all veterans.

Members of Congress votes themselves generous pay raises and other extraordinary benefits, and at the same time they deprive us what is rightly our due for service and devotion to our country. What will they do next?

Joseph Chenin

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