RAYMORE, Mo. -- Jocelyn Janes is living proof that Agent Orange, the
chemical sprayed over the jungles of Vietnam, did more than expose American
soldiers to harm. It also affected their children.
Janes, 34, is one of an estimated 8,000 children of Vietnam veterans born
with spina bifida. Her father served there as a Marine.
“It was discovered that spina bifida was the most frequent birth defect
among Vietnam veterans' (children),” said Donna Wallis, Jocelyn’s mom.
So many children were born with the defect that in 1966 Congress passed
legislation guaranteeing those children health care for life through the
Veterans Administration.
That law has been a lifesaver for Jocelyn, paying for dozens of
surgeries and home health care -- until now.
For the last four months, Wallis has been fighting with the VA to pay
for her daughter’s care, which is now needed around the clock.
“They don't understand their own
policies,” said Wallis, referring to the VA’s spina bifida claims office in
Denver.
The VA’s own regulations states that 24/7 care is available for spina
bifida patients who have a doctor’s authorization. Because Jocelyn has that,
the VA promised she would receive the benefit.
“We started the paperwork very early in 2018,” Wallis said.
A home health company called BrightStar Care begin providing
round-the-clock services for Jocelyn in May. But four months later, the VA
hasn’t cut a single check to reimburse BrightStar for more than $100,000 in
services.
No comments:
Post a Comment