WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MOPH National Commander Clayton Jones vows opposition to any effort to reduce the already inadequate health care for our nation’s veterans. Jones’ statement comes in reaction to a proposal by Rep. Michele Bachmann, (R-Minn) to cut $400 billion in federal spending that includes freezing Veterans Affairs Department health care spending and cutting veterans’ disability benefits. "It is inconceivable to suggest a cut in veteran’s health care spending at the very time that servicemen and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are swelling the ranks of veterans who rely on the VA for treatment of service connected illnesses and disabilities,” said Commander Jones.
According to MOPH National Legislative Director Hershel Gober, “While the MOPH agrees that Congress needs to take decisive action in reducing the federal budget, we urge the Congress to examine alternatives to reducing the bloated budgets of all federal agencies, including reducing or eliminating earmarks that swell the federal budget, before taking any action that would reduce veterans benefits and health care.” Gober said, “Congress has a commitment to provide adequate health care for those who have served and sacrificed for their nation in Iraq, Afghanistan and in previous wars." Commander Jones said, “this proposal brings to mind a statement by President George Washington to the Congress following the Revolutionary War, when he said, ‘The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their Nation.’
The organization now known as the "Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc.," (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration. Chartered by the Congress, The MOPH is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all its members were wounded in combat. For this sacrifice, they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. With grants from the MOPH Service Foundation, the MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America's military history. Most importantly, they provide comfort and assistance to all Veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance. Through the VAVS program, MOPH volunteers provide assistance to hospitalized veterans at VA sites and State Veterans Homes.