My father, Don Raymond, was a U.S. Army veteran who was born and raised in Frenchville, Maine, and lived here for over 84 years. He and my mother were snowbirds who traveled down south each winter. When my father became ill, I brought him back to Massachusetts (where I live) to receive care at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. 

He was eligible for veteran’s benefits and I requested an emergency authorization for an extensive medical procedure. As a nurse who worked in reimbursement and authorization services, I knew that when an emergency authorization is requested, the organization has 24 hours to respond to the request — the VA did not. My father had Medicare, but medical care was part of the VA benefit and we chose to go this route; Medicare covers 100 days per spell of illness and he was approaching this cap. 

I received several calls from the Tufts surgeon’s office stating they hadn’t received an authorization from the VA. I was running out of options to expedite the authorization. I called Susan Collins’ Caribou office and spoke with Pam Gerow, who listened attentively and noted my concerns. She acted immediately and we received the needed authorization early the next morning.

Although my father passed away several weeks after the procedure, I will be forever grateful to Pam Gerow and Susan Collins. I want all veterans — and those who love them — to know that they can count on Sen. Collins to help them in their time of need. 

Pam Harris
Athol, Mass.

Read the letter: Portland Press Herald