Family's Sole Surviving Son Denied GI Benefits

[Kadie]

Apr 15, 2008 6:08 pm US/Pacific
Family's Sole Surviving Son Denied GI Benefits

FRESNO (AP) ― Army Spc. Jason Hubbard was forced to leave the combat zone after his two brothers died in the Iraq war, but once at home the soldier faced another battle: The military cut off his health care, stopped his G.I. educational subsidies and wanted him to repay his sign-up bonus.

It wasn't until Hubbard petitioned his local Congressman that he was able to restore some of his benefits.

Now that Congressman, Rep. Devin Nunes, plans to join three other lawmakers in introducing a bill Wednesday that would ensure full benefits to all soldiers who are discharged under the sole survivor policy. The rule is a holdover from World War II meant to protect the rights of service people who have lost a family member to war.

"This is a man who asked for nothing and gave a lot," said Nunes, R-Calif., who represents Hubbard's hometown of Clovis, a city of 90,000 next to Fresno. "Jason is one person who obviously has suffered tremendously and has given the ultimate sacrifice. One person is too many to have this happen to."

snip...
Hubbard went to Nunes, who began advocating for the former soldier in December, after hearing the Army was demanding that he repay his $6,000 enlistment bonus and was denying him up to $40,000 in educational benefits under the GI bill.

After having a direct chat with Army Sec. Pete Geren, Nunes managed to get the repayment waived and Hubbard's wife's health care restored. Hubbard and his two-year-old son never got their health coverage back.

more...
http://cbs13.com/local/sole.survivor.benefits.2.700663.html

[uppityperson]

1. k&r

[DS1]

2. Note to DUers with relatives in the military

Commanders are scared shitless of calls from Congresscritters. I truly mean that. One called and argued about what had happened to someone in our unit (even though he deserved it) and the whole base knew by that night.

[leftofcool]

3. You bet they are!

Doesn't matter which side of the aisle either!

[Ilsa]

4. Well,don't bother writing to McCain. He's afraid all the benefits will

encourage soldiers toleave the service sooner. I never knew what a horrible person he was until he became the "presumptive nominee".

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

6. He was a collaborator.

He got HIS bennies before he even came back home.

[Selatius]

5. The government is more than willing to spend blood and treasure for Iraq.

Yet it is miserly when it comes to VA funding and benefits. It's so confounding.

[aquart]

7. Didn't they cut benefits the very week they invaded?

Mine is not a great memory. Anybody here know if what I recall is true?

[Kadie]

8. .

morning :kick:

[LynnTheDem]

9. "Hubbard and his two-year-old son never got their health coverage back."

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Don't it make ya proud!

Wake the fuck up, We the People!