U.S. Congress gives U.S. Allies access to U.S. VA Healthcare System

U.S. Congress gives U.S. Allies access to U.S. VA Healthcare system for the first time since World War II

HR 366 Korean American VALOR Act passes Congress

For the first time since World War II the U.S. Congress has approved access to the VA Healthcare system for its allies. On Thursday, October 19, 2023, the U.S. Senate passed HR 366, the Korean American Vietnam Allies Long Overdue for Relief (VALOR) Act, this version being the third at-bat in the House in as many Congresses. Introduced by U.S. Rep Mark Takano, (D CA-39) on January 13, 2023, passing the House on May 22, 2023, it gives the more than 4000 Korean Vietnam combat veterans who reside in the U.S. access to the VA Healthcare, similar to the U.S.’ WW1 and WW2 allies, under 38 CFR 109 (a). The cost is the responsibility of the original nation, in this case the Republic of Korea (ROK), therefore will not be borne by the U.S. Passage of this Act validates the Republic of Korea’s importance as a U.S. ally. It also gives notice to all of the U.S.’ allies that when they have the U.S. military’s back on the battlefield, there remains the possibility of an avenue for medical treatment for the war related illnesses and injuries they sustain while serving shoulder to shoulder with the U.S., should they relocate here.

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), the preeminent U.S. Vietnam veterans’ service organization, with more than 90,000 members and over 500 chapters, in all 50 states, headquartered in Silver Spring MD, embraced the “ROKs” from the outset. VVA National Minority Affairs Committee Chair, Gumersindo Gomez, oversaw the resolutions he offered endorsing the ROKs efforts in Congress overwhelmingly pass at VVA’s 2019, 2021, and 2023 bi-annual conventions. VVA President Jack McManus and the VVA National Board have warmly welcomed the ROKs as honorary members of their organization. (VVA.org)

The Republic of Korea was the U.S.’ strongest and longest serving ally in Vietnam. There were 325, 517 ROK troops deployed to Vietnam from 1964 to 1973, sustaining 10,962 casualties, with 5,099 KIAs. There were no POWs, because if captured, the ROK forces were tortured and subsequently killed.

Barbara St. Martin Cho, Esq., founder of Vets Go Forth, is a Cold War veteran who has been advocating pro bono for the Korean American Vietnam Veteran (KAVV) community for many years. She first brought this issue to the attention of Congress in 2017, the same year she connected KAVV community with VVA. Barbara is particularly grateful to Gumersindo Gomez for his stalwart and unwavering support, without whom this legislation would have never happened. Barbara continues her pro bono advocacy for the KAVV community and for all members of the veteran community. She can be reached at StMartinCho@gmail.com or 917-696-7813.

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