Op-Ed – The Fayetteville Observer
By Congresswoman Renee Ellmers
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Most of the news we hear about Congress revolves around the work we do in Washington - crafting bills, attending committee hearings and giving speeches. But what is also important is the work my staff and I do in the district every week because this is the work that affects our constituents on an individual and personal basis. Each day, I hear from constituents who need help navigating our extensive maze of federal agencies.
Our Dunn and Asheboro offices work with constituents on Social Security and Medicare issues, military service academy nominations, IRS debts, federal employee issues, security clearances, emergency passports and more. While my office completed over 1,600 constituent cases last year, this is the work that doesn't make headlines or 30-second spots on your television newscast.
Given that the 2nd District encompasses all of Fort Bragg, it's easy to understand why veteran matters comprise the largest number of cases we handle. We work closely with veterans to navigate the appointment system at the VA, track down the status of VA benefit claims and ensure the VA has reimbursed veterans for their medical expenses. Over the years, we have helped thousands of veterans and each of their stories is different.
Some of the cases we see have been in the system and working through the process for years before they finally get to us. Just last month, a 91-year-old World War II veteran we have been aiding finally received word that his claim for PTSD had been approved by the VA. His case was first opened in 2008, but he didn't reach out to us until June of 2012. We kept fighting for him until, finally, we received good news: the VA informed us they had approved his case and he will receive a retroactive payment of over $64,000. Additionally, he will acquire a monthly benefit payment of more than $3,000 to compensate him for the multiple injuries he continues to suffer from. This, for me, is part of what makes my job worthwhile - helping people in a concrete, measurable way that produces a positive and lasting impact on their life.
Another case that stands out pertains to the wife of a veteran who contacted us after her husband passed away while receiving care at a private hospital. The VA informed the widow that it would not pay for her husband's hospital stay or medical procedures due to "protocol." This was an ambiguous response that did nothing but add a great deal of stress and undue burden to an elderly woman already doing her best to cope with a loss. My staff was persistent and continued to work with the VA on her behalf. After weeks of phone calls and emails, the VA paid her husband's $8,000 hospital bill in full.
We also work with veterans and their families to help them track down awards they earned for their service, but for various reasons never received. Just last month, I had the pleasure of meeting constituent Charles Morton and his family in my Asheboro office to present him with the Purple Heart and additional awards that he earned while serving in Vietnam.
Two weeks before, a 91-year-old constituent named Oscar Davis Jr., wearing an Airborne cap, stood from his wheelchair and accepted the Bronze Star along with other awards he earned, while serving with the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment during World War II. These heroes' awards were trapped in a labyrinth of government inefficiency, but this is the least we can do for our veterans after the sacrifices they made.
As we begin this new year, I reflect on the number of constituents I have had the honor of meeting and working with last year. I consider myself blessed to serve in a role that allows me to assist others who find themselves at an impasse. It is our pleasure to track down your Social Security refund, expedite the approval of your passport and help you navigate other tricky bureaucratic hurdles. I couldn't be prouder of the services provided to Second District constituents this year by our Asheboro and Dunn offices.
Rep. Renee Ellmers, a Republican from Dunn, represents North Carolina's Second Congressional District.
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