Independence for Mike
Mike, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in the Gulf War, was diagnosed with ALS, a devastating disease destroys muscles and robs people of their ability to speak, swallow food, and breathe on their own. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs found him to have a 100 percent service-connected disability.
Mike had been receiving full VA disability benefits that provided around-the-clock healthcare in his home and help with lifesaving care — like keeping his ventilator working. Mike also received help using his feeding tube for nutrition, taking medication to stay healthy, bathing himself, and moving around.
One day, his healthcare provider abruptly notified Mike that they would no longer provide care for him. With no other appropriate healthcare provider nearby, Mike said the VA left with him with this stark choice: “either move to a ventilator home out of state, away from family, friends, and my ALS accessible home, or go off of the vent and die.”
Mike contacted Disability Rights Oregon, and we helped him file a lawsuit against the VA. With DRO’s help, the VA agreed to contract with another healthcare provider and Mike was able to stay in his family home.
MEDIA COVERAGE
U.S. Attorneys Office Announces Dismissal of Case Involving Veteran whose Care Was Dropped (KPIC News, June 15, 2018)
VA Will Provide In-Home Care for Vet with Gehrig’s Disease (Associated Press, June 15, 2018)
VA Continues Home Health Care for Disabled Oregon Vet (The Oregonian, June 15, 2018)