This past January, I was issued a useless Veterans Choice Card from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Its purpose is to provide funding for qualifying medical care outside the Veterans Affairs. Although one of the qualifications is residing greater than 40 miles from the nearest VA Medical Center, West Haven, the New London VA Clinic is considered a VA Medical Center. The New London Clinic has no dental or eye clinic, X-ray equipment or blood lab, to name a few of its shortcomings.

Being a service-connected 100 percent disabled veteran, I don’t have any options, other than the Veterans Affairs. Maybe it would be better to close these VA Clinics and validate the Veterans Choice Card for local, private sector medical care?

I have contacted the elected officials and they obviously don’t care. Their priorities and concerns revolve around the rating numbers on suntan lotion, taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood whether or not the taxpayer supports it, and promising one nuclear submarine a year to General Dynamics. Those of you that quote the post Sept. 11 buzz phrase, “Giving back to those that gave,” may want to consider nominating and electing people that really care about the plight of veterans.

William Simpson

Groton