Military benefits
Once again, U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans disappoints me. I’m an Army retiree and Medicare recipient. A few days ago, I wrote to Kiggans asking her to act to restore pharmaceutical benefits that the Defense Health Agency now denies to military retirees over the age of 65.
On Aug. 31, the DHA began denying coverage of certain medications to a single group of Tricare enrollees based solely on their age. Younger retirees continue to enjoy coverage for the exact same prescriptions. This action is discriminatory and illegal, a violation of the law.
I received a prompt boiler-plate response promising me that she’ll keep my “thoughts in mind should any legislation come to the House Floor that aim[s] to reform or improve Tricare.”
Kiggans is content to sit back and let the DHA continue its unfair and illegal treatment of her constituents. It must be too much trouble, or too risky, for her to step up for old military retirees.
Kathy Hessmer, U.S. Army (retired), Virginia Beach
Winsome Earle-Sears
There is too much money, particularly out of state, poured into political campaigns. It serves no good purpose as most of it is, at best, deceptive in its attacks against the opposing candidates.
Gubernatorial candidates former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears each represent the policies of their party. Before a vote is cast, determine the issues most important to you and our state.
I want Virginia’s next governor to continue the conservative policies of Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Therefore, my vote will be for Earle-Sears.
Nancy Dempsey, Suffolk
Red herring
Re “Vote Republican” (Your Views, Sept. 28): The writer deflects our attention using the popular MAGA scare of the rare child upset by the presence of a trans classmate in bathrooms, sports or locker rooms. A red herring if there ever was one.
Voting Republican is what’s brought us higher tariffs (aka sales taxes); attacks on TV comedians; prosecution of political enemies; troops sent into our cities on false pretenses; our health system turned into a clown show run by anti-vaccine boneheads; valuable federal employees fired on the flimsiest of pretenses; people disappeared off the streets by roving gangs of masked thugs; peaceful protestors abused or injured; millions losing health care to fund tax breaks for billionaires; White House and Pentagon reporters muzzled; clemency for nearly 1,600 Jan. 6, 2021, rioters (more than 600 of whom were guilty of assaulting or obstructing law enforcement officers); and our great country embarrassed on the international stage.
Pick more important issues, sir.
Dr. Joseph H. Discenza, Poquoson
Costs of kids
I am writing concerning the economic challenges of raising children in the Virginia’s 1st Congressional District. I am a grandfather who is frustrated by the Republican Party’s lack of empathy regarding the costs associated with child-rearing.
U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman’s continued support for the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which he claims makes raising a child more affordable through increased tax credits, is a disservice to his district. These credits do not benefit many of Virginias’ most at-risk families due to their annual gross income.
The cost of an essential item such as infant car seats is often out of reach for hardworking Americans. For example, Consumer Reports recommended infant car seats cost around $250, requiring 39 hours of work at the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, or 23 hours at Virginia’s state minimum wage of $12.41 per hour. When contrasted with the significant wealth increase of the richest 400 people in America, who saw their personal wealth grow by $1.2 trillion since the start of the year, it becomes obvious who Wittman views as his constituency.
Wittman’s reliance on repetitive talking points calls for a public forum in the Tidewater area where Wittman can explain how the bill he supports addresses the economic challenges of raising a child.
Christopher P. Stolz, Williamsburg