Veterans with Disabilities
In the fall, SSgt. Hill and Gina travelled to Joplin, MO, with EM:HE as the show did what it could to provide some sense of retribution for the deadly tornadoes that demolished the city last May. On a long term scale, the couple has committed themselves to serving as advocates on stigma surrounding PTS and other mental illnesses. “We are a proud people,” says SSgt. Hill of service members. “It’s really disheartening when one day you are on top of the world and then the next day you’re at the bottom rung of the ladder and have to depend on everyone around you. You have this overwhelming sense of worthlessness because you were hurt doing what you love.” Speaking to his family’s public persona SSgt. Hill puts forth, “We represent so many things – ourselves, our family, Silent Siren, Puppies Behind Bars, Bring Change 2 Mind, Wounded Warriors…we have a responsibility to these organizations. We’re trying to be good stewards of what God has given us. I have a responsibility to my community to take care of what they gave me.” Humbly he adds, “It’s the best I can do.” As part of their commitment to community, the Hills have started a foundation called Silent Siren. The mission of Silent Siren is to build strong community collaborations that enhance and expand existing community crisis intervention/support for military service individuals and their families. The idea for Silent Siren came about because of Gina’s own hesitation to call 911 for help during SSgt. Hill’s more severe flashbacks. The thought of the situation escalating because of the blaring sound of the emergency vehicles, the same tone used in Iraq to alert the soldiers of incoming fire, or the respondents not being aware of her husband’s illness weighed heavy upon her. After trying to handle the situation on her own several times, Gina finally got brave enough to speak with Ottawa’s chief of police. Together they worked out a plan so that when she called, the team
of responders were alerted beforehand and would turn their sirens off before approaching the Hill’s home. “It’s all about preparedness,” she says of the foundation. There are simple things that emergency responders can do to make these types of calls go more smoothly. Joining Forces, an initiative to equip medical students, faculty and staff with the tools to help veterans with PTS, headed by members of the Association of American Medical Colleges and the Association of AACOM held a press conference in January at which First Lady Michelle Obama was the guest speaker. The First Lady shared heart wrenching stories from families fighting PTS, including a plea for help from Gina Hill. She continued with a call to action for every citizen, “In a time of war, when troops and their families are sacrificing so much, we all should be doing everything we can to serve them as well as they are serving this country. And it’s an obligation that does not end when wars close and troops return home. In many ways, that’s when the real work begins.” The First Lady’s words resonate all too clearly with the Hill Family and with Middlebusher. The Ottawa, KS, community responded ten-fold to the Hills’ need. “I’m amazed at the way the community took this project on,” interjects Middlebusher, as Gina and SSgt. Hill nod their agreement. As an independent insurance agent, Middlebusher is no stranger to service. The Pledge of Performance perfectly sums “As a Trusted Choice® agency, we are dedicated to you and are committed to treating you as a person, not a policy.” The volunteers at the Hills’ build boldly took a stand and showed with action that the Hills are people in their community and as such deserve all the best service they can get. That’s what the independent insurance industry is all about. Trusted Choice® agents are advocates for people, advocates for service, and advocates for community.
In January, the Seattle Times reported that a Madigan Army Medical Center psychiatric team was under review for having “reversed the diagnoses of more than a dozen soldiers previously found to have post-traumatic stress disorder. ” Since that time one psychiatrist has been removed, and more than a dozen soldiers have regained their initial reviews. The soldiers’ diagnoses were changed to “adjustment disorder” which kept them from qualifying for medical retirements which entitle them to lifetime life insurance which can extend to their dependents. The issue was brought to light when the soldiers became concerned that their reviews were wrongly changed in order to “hold down the Army’s retirement and disability costs.” Because of the liability in taking on these wounded warriors, the likelihood of a private company taking them on was almost zero. Gina has already started conversations with Governor Brownback about legislation lacking in Kansas to help one hundred percent disabled veterans. According to Gina, the state of Texas offers the most in terms of benefits for veterans including property tax exemptions, housing assistance, land purchase, home repairs, and a host of other benefits. This type of legislation has caused more retirees to settle in Texas. Moreover it allows organizations like Operation Finally Home, a nonprofit whose mission is to build homes for veterans, to provide private assistance to families without causing financial burdens. They build the home and the family has no added obligations. Operation Finally Home was one of the many sponsors for the Hill’s home. In addition to their volunteer work, they donated $10,000 to the cause, and have committed to paying the Hills’ property taxes for the next two years. In her meeting with the governor, representatives from Operation Finally Home helped stress the importance of a “no property tax benefit” for veterans. Only one percent of the nation serves in the armed forces, so the funding needed is not as overwhelming as it may initially seem. Though legislation did not come through this session, Gina is committed to seeing changes made. KAIA has found a few companies that offer limited whole life up to $25,000 to veterans who are on full time disability. A second option may be a guaranteed issue policy which has a graded death benefit that gradually increases over time. Those companies do not include USAA. For more information you may contact Mark Ricklefs, a partner of Agency Services Corporation of Kansas (AScK) who helps agents broker life insurance. Email Mark at ricklefsm@cfslinc.com. Bernton, Hal. “Army is reviewing Madigan’s reversal of PTSD diagnoses,” Seattle Times, Jan. 26, 2012, < http:// seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017346365_madiganreview27m. html>.
March/April 2012 :: KANSAS INSURANCE AGENT & BROKER
15