Veterans Affairs: Support a 90 yr old Purple Heart recipient and veteran of two wars

The Issue

My dad, James March, is a World War II and Korean War veteran with a Purple Heart he received in WW2 -- but now that he's seriously ill, the VA is refusing to help him. 

Even though his injury from the war caused him terrible back and leg pain throughout his life, my dad never complained to the VA -- he rarely asks for help from anyone. But now that he's 90 years old, dad is really sick and he urgently needs help from an assisted living facility. Our whole family is worried about him: he's barely eating, he's nearly lost his eyesight, and he's suffering from dementia. In just a few months, he lost 70 pounds. 

Dad needs constant care, but Mom isn't able to be a full-time caregiver because she's struggling with cancer recovery and diabetes -- and my family doesn't have enough money to pay out of pocket for him to get a home aide.

The VA lost our application for assistance two times before they denied our claim. Even though my parents are crippled by medical costs and their home  was foreclosed on 2/27/2013, the VA says my dad "makes too much money" to qualify for help. In reality, my parents barely have enough left over at the end of the month to buy their groceries, let alone pay for at-home care.

My dad was there when our country needed him to fight in WWII, healing others as a medic on the battlefield where he earned a Purple Heart. Now that he needs us, will we turn our back on him? Sign my petition asking that the VA give my dad the benefits he and all veterans deserve for their service and sacrifice.

This petition had 103,776 supporters

The Issue

My dad, James March, is a World War II and Korean War veteran with a Purple Heart he received in WW2 -- but now that he's seriously ill, the VA is refusing to help him. 

Even though his injury from the war caused him terrible back and leg pain throughout his life, my dad never complained to the VA -- he rarely asks for help from anyone. But now that he's 90 years old, dad is really sick and he urgently needs help from an assisted living facility. Our whole family is worried about him: he's barely eating, he's nearly lost his eyesight, and he's suffering from dementia. In just a few months, he lost 70 pounds. 

Dad needs constant care, but Mom isn't able to be a full-time caregiver because she's struggling with cancer recovery and diabetes -- and my family doesn't have enough money to pay out of pocket for him to get a home aide.

The VA lost our application for assistance two times before they denied our claim. Even though my parents are crippled by medical costs and their home  was foreclosed on 2/27/2013, the VA says my dad "makes too much money" to qualify for help. In reality, my parents barely have enough left over at the end of the month to buy their groceries, let alone pay for at-home care.

My dad was there when our country needed him to fight in WWII, healing others as a medic on the battlefield where he earned a Purple Heart. Now that he needs us, will we turn our back on him? Sign my petition asking that the VA give my dad the benefits he and all veterans deserve for their service and sacrifice.

The Decision Makers

Kathleen Fogarty
Kathleen Fogarty
Director, James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital
Responded
Ms. March - I appreciate your concern for your father and am sorry he is ill. Our Health Administration Service has several options you can take to try and resolve this matter and is attempting to contact you to advise you about the steps you can take. Thank you, Karen Collins, Public Affairs Officer
Former U.S. Senate
2 Members
Marco Rubio
Former U.S. Senate - Florida
Bill Nelson
Former US Senate - Florida
Dr. Edward P. Cutolo Jr.
Dr. Edward P. Cutolo Jr.
Chief of Staff, James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital
Kathy Castor
U.S. House of Representatives - Florida 14th Congressional District
Honorable Eric K. Shinseki
Honorable Eric K. Shinseki
Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Petition Updates