Lawmaker seeks higher compensation for veterans

Demapan

The 19th House of Representatives last month adopted House Resolution 19-45, authored by Rep. Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan), encouraging U.S. Congress to adopt legislation that would create a special category for increased compensation of veterans residing in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and other geographically challenged areas in the Pacific.

“Basically, the resolution is requesting the U.S. Congress to authorize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to establish an additional percentage to the compensation benefits of veterans residing in the CNMI and the other territories,” said Demapan.

“Our veterans have a dire need to be properly compensated to help them with the additional costs they have to bear in order to get the same level of medical treatment that veterans living in the U.S. mainland get.”

H.R. 19-45 points out that the current level of service rendered by the federal government to CNMI veterans is not only a disservice to the American veterans who choose to reside in the CNMI and other geographically-challenged areas such as Guam, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and American Samoa, but a disservice to all those American veterans who have fought for freedom.

“In 2011, the CNMI was designated as a medically underserved area by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services,” added Demapan. “This designation was granted because the federal government recognized that our healthcare system clearly does not have the full capacity to meet the healthcare needs of the Commonwealth.”

Demapan also shed light on the additional burden imposed on veterans residing on the islands of Tinian and Rota. These veterans have to pay out of pocket for their airfare to Saipan, including all necessary accommodations, if they were to undergo medical treatment from an approved clinic on Saipan.

“Cost of living in the CNMI is already high to begin with,” said Demapan. “This makes if even more difficult for CNMI-based veterans to travel abroad to get the medical assistance they desperately need and rightfully deserve.”

In an effort to amplify the concerns of veterans living in the CNMI and the territories, Demapan noted that Guam Senator Frank Blas, Jr. had also introduced legislation and it was adopted by the Guam Legislature early last month.

“I would like to thank Senator Blas for his insight and efforts to open lines of discussion on this important matter,” stated Demapan. “I am hopeful that having a unified position between the CNMI and Guam legislatures would net a positive result in our quest to bring much needed assistance for our island veterans.” (PR)