Comment on AN49-Proposed Rule-Brunger, John C.

RE: Regulations Management (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave., NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or by fax to (202) 273-9026. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AN49-Payment or Reimbursement for Emergency Treatment Furnished by Non-VA Providers in Non-VA facilities to Certain Veterans with Service-connected or Nonservice-connected Disabilities.'' Comment: As a 70% Republic of Vietnam Disabled Combat Veteran, these rules are needed. My case is a perfect example. The VA hospital is about 30 miles from my home. My VA private doctor examined me and thought that I had had an extreme emergency and sent me to a private hospital emergency facility. My VA doctor knew that I also had private insurance. After 1 day stay that was NOT overnight, the bill was $5,000.00. The insurance would NOT pay and VA would NOT pay. I worked it out with the hospital and made payments. It was NOT a good thing. I served my country with honor, and did the best job possible coming close to being killed a number of times. I spent a fortnight in a Republic of Vietnam field hospital. How can we as a country put men and women in harms way while not supporting their medical problems? If the medical facility is certified, we need to pay the veterans' cost of care. Citizens are quick to put troops in harms way and then NOT support their medical care. For 30 years I could NOT talk about my combat experience. No more! We better support the veterans with deeds and NOT words.