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Pappas Holds Virtual Veterans Roundtable

June 9, 2020

View a video from the roundtable here.

Manchester, NH – Yesterday, Representative Chris Pappas (NH-01) held a virtual roundtable to discuss provisions in the HEROES Act that would help New Hampshire's veterans, and hear from veteran organizations about how they are adapting to the COVID-19 crisis. Pappas was joined by Bob Goldner, Disabled American Veterans NH Adjutant; Jorg Dreusicke, Veterans of Foreign Wars NH Legislative Chair; Ken Maynard, American Legion NH National Executive Committeeman; and Stephanie Loughlin, wife of veteran Chris Loughlin and his primary caregiver.

"As we think about how this pandemic is impacting communities here in New Hampshire we know that no one is spared, and New Hampshire's veteran populations face unique challenges right now from being disproportionately at risk and having limited options for care," said Congressman Chris Pappas. "And on top of these challenges, no veteran should be facing calls from debt collectors, being put in a position where they have to decide whether or not to take an ambulance ride, and undergoing additional financial hardship as a result."

Even during this crisis, when many families are struggling to pay rent or put food on the table, the VA is still collecting debts from our nation's war heroes; and existing VA policy means that veterans may face thousands of dollars in medical bills if they seek emergency care at a non-VA facility without pre-authorization. Emergency care providers in the community are also often forced to wait for lengthy reviews before receiving payment from VA, which is an even more serious problem at a time when our community hospitals are facing significant financial challenges.

The HEROES Act includes provisions from H.R. 6590 and H.R. 6591, authored and introduced by Pappas, which respectively halt the collection of outstanding debts by the VA and prevent VA from collecting repayment until the current federal emergency declaration is lifted; and grant prior authorization for emergency community care for veterans during the public health emergency, require VA to be the primary payer on claims, and cover the cost of emergency ambulance transportation.

Stephanie and Chris Loughlin are facing debt collection from the VA after the VA approved Chris's transfer of his GI benefits to Stephanie, and then later reversed course and charged them $22,000.00 for transferring the benefits incorrectly.

Stephanie spoke about the importance of suspending debt collection from the VA during the pandemic, saying "My husband is currently working right now or else he would be on this call, but we discussed he can't take time off right now because we do have to pay this debt. So it is definitely important, during this time I feel absolutely, that debts be waived."

"He has been working, he's been deemed essential this entire time, so he was not laid off or anything, we didn't have to deal with unemployment which so many are, so we're very thankful for that. But I'm trying to be an advocate for the wives of veterans, the husbands of veterans, veterans in general in every way that I can with debts that have to be paid off, medals that they didn't receive that they should have, getting the compensation through the VA that they can."

"[Your office has] been so great in making yourselves available and responding, and that's been huge."

This roundtable continues Pappas's efforts to speak directly with leaders responding to this crisis including health care providers, small businesses, non-profits, and local government officials.