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WE OWE VETERANS EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP THIS PROMISE
November 26, 2002
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today made the following statement regarding the decision concerning military veterans health care claims made by a Federal Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Schism v. U.S.:
"I am disappointed by the decision rendered by a Federal Circuit Court of Appeals on November 18, 2002, in the case of Schism v. United States, concerning the retired World War II and Korean War veterans health care claims. For many years the Federal Government promised young recruits free lifetime health care benefits when they retired after twenty years of service. This applied especially to those who joined the military prior to June 7, 1956. The United States Government, specifically the Department of Defense, owes the veterans every effort to keep this promise. This generation of veterans gave meaning to the call to serve and we must repay them for their sacrifices.
"In the period following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States military has enjoyed record levels of retention. The Department of Defense can not expect to continue this success when they do not deliver on health care commitments. Traditionally, retirees have been the services' most effective recruiters, and their children and those of family friends have had a high propensity to serve. Restoring confidence in their health care coverage will go a long way toward ensuring the continued success of this invaluable recruiting resource.
"Today's servicemembers are acutely aware of retirees' disenfranchisement with military health coverage, and exit surveys cite this issue with increasing frequency as one of the factors in servicemembers' decisions to end their military careers before earning a pension. In survey after survey, access to medical and dental care in retirement was the number five issue of concern among active duty officers in retention-critical specialties.
"I am grateful for the efforts of Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Bud Day. Over the years, Colonel Day has helped me to understand the flaw in our health care system for our military retirees, as well as the larger question for our country: What greater test of a nation’s integrity is there than the sincerity of its promises to the men and women who risk their lives to defend it.
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