Urgent Concern: Oppose Section 126 and sign the petition like many others in MASS
Dear Senators Velis, Rush, and Fattman and Representatives Moran, Rush, Cassidy, Fattman, and Xiarhos:
We, the undersigned voters in your districts, write in opposition to Section 126 within S.2826,
the Senate’s version of the HERO Act.
the Senate’s version of the HERO Act.
Attempting to protect Veterans is an honorable endeavor that we all share. However, Section
126, as currently written, misses the mark and would not only deny all Massachusetts Veterans
the right to choose how they pursue their own claims but also fails to address the full spectrum
of issues at hand. That particular section, as written, does not provide additional oversight of the
industry at large or ensure Veterans have access to diverse options and effective solutions for
decades to come, both critical issues for the Veteran community.
126, as currently written, misses the mark and would not only deny all Massachusetts Veterans
the right to choose how they pursue their own claims but also fails to address the full spectrum
of issues at hand. That particular section, as written, does not provide additional oversight of the
industry at large or ensure Veterans have access to diverse options and effective solutions for
decades to come, both critical issues for the Veteran community.
Rather than being trapped in a backlogged appeals system only benefiting a handful of
attorneys, Massachusetts Veterans should continue to have the right to hire expert help to get
their claim done correctly the first time. The current system is broken, with the Veteran Service
Organization (VSO)/attorney model resulting in Veterans stuck in the appeals space, waiting
years for their benefits, while attorneys take up to 33.3% of their entire backpay.
attorneys, Massachusetts Veterans should continue to have the right to hire expert help to get
their claim done correctly the first time. The current system is broken, with the Veteran Service
Organization (VSO)/attorney model resulting in Veterans stuck in the appeals space, waiting
years for their benefits, while attorneys take up to 33.3% of their entire backpay.
Just like filing your taxes, Veterans have the right to seek help preparing their US Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claim however they want. They can do it themselves, seek out
support from free services offered by the state or other organizations, or they can choose to hire
experts to help them with this complicated process.
Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claim however they want. They can do it themselves, seek out
support from free services offered by the state or other organizations, or they can choose to hire
experts to help them with this complicated process.
As currently written in the Senate version, Section 126 would take away an option for Veterans
who are looking for more help with navigating the complicated VA disability system. We strongly
urge the HERO Act conference committee members to either remove the section in its entirety
or to amend the language to create a commission to study how best to regulate and oversee
businesses working with Veterans in this space.
who are looking for more help with navigating the complicated VA disability system. We strongly
urge the HERO Act conference committee members to either remove the section in its entirety
or to amend the language to create a commission to study how best to regulate and oversee
businesses working with Veterans in this space.
Sincerely,
We the undersigned constituents,