releases: https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398853
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://rodneydavis.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398853 | Davis: Honor Our Veterans With Responsiveness | 2015-11-11 | 2015 | 2015-11 | Republican | House | IL | Rodney Davis | D000619 | rodneydavis.house.gov | legacy | U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) this Veterans Day highlighted the service of four veterans from his district who his office has assisted with casework claims through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).Throughout our nation's history many great men and women have served and sacrificed so that we may be free, said Davis. They've defended our country during some of its darkest hours and today we give our thanks and honor them and their service to our nation. While the VA has made progress after lawmakers, including Davis, demanded action in ending the massive backlog of disability and pension claims, a significant backlog still exists. Additionally, extended wait times, more than 30 days, for appointments still exist for roughly 500,000 veterans nationwide. We owe it to our veterans to deliver the promises that were made to them but unfortunately, our VA system is failing many of them, said Davis. I am proud of my office's record of helping veterans cut through red tape but they deserve better from the VA. They deserve a VA that is responsive and accountable so veterans get the benefits they are owed and the medical treatments they need when they need them. Veterans should not have to go through their congressman's office to get a doctor's appointment or receive the benefits they are owed. I will continue to work to improve the VA and ensure veterans get the care they need and deserve. Davis has assisted with nearly 500 VA claims for veterans in his district since taking office. These four veterans, or their surviving family, agreed to share their stories in honor of Veterans Day and to highlight the inefficiencies within the VA system in order to help more veterans. Their stories: Carl Bagwell of Springfield, a veteran of the United States Army, served with the Army 534th Military Police from 1971-1977 at the Quarry Heights Cana Zone in Panama. Bagwell was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. He received a VA Choice Card allowing him to see a physician outside of the VA, however the VA must approve all treatments. Bagwell has had difficulty receiving consistent and timely authorization or treatment from the VA. Davis' office was successful in getting authorization for one of his monthly cancer shots and they are constantly monitoring his situation to ensure he receives the treatment he needs. William Morgan Reger III of Staunton, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps (1953-1956), served in Korea, Japan, and Okinawa. He achieved the rank of Sergeant and received the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. During the Vietnam War, Reger served in the U.S. Air Force from 1957-1965 as an A1C medic and operating room specialist. He received the Air Force Longevity Service Award W/1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, and Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. Following his service, Reger volunteered for seventeen years as a van driver for Disabled American Veterans, driving veterans to appointments at John Cochran and Jefferson Barracks Hospitals in St. Louis. After William Reger passed away, his widow, Bette Reger, contacted the VA regarding accrued benefits owed to her husband for his service-connected disabilities. After no response from the VA for nearly a year and facing severe financial hardship, Bette Reger contacted Davis' office for assistance. Davis' office was successful in getting her the accrued benefits owed to her husband. Kenneth Sprague of Urbana has served in Kuwait, Iraq, and most recently Afghanistan. Sprague has received several individual military awards including the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and several others. He graduated from Urbana High School in 1996 and is currently employed as a Police Dispatcher in Champaign County. Sprague was mobilized and deployed to Kuwait and Iraq from July 2011 to April 2012. When he returned home from his deployment Sprague went to the VA and registered for medical and dental benefits as directed by the demobilization station. After his application for benefits had been pending for two years, Sprague received notification that he needed to report to the Danville VA for an examination for compensation. However, he could not appear due to his current deployment. Despite being assured his appointment would be rescheduled, it was not and his benefits were denied. Sprague then contacted Davis and his office was successful in working with the VA to ensure his benefits were received. Lawrence Orator of Palmer, a veteran of the war in Vietnam (1970-1971), served as a U.S. Army medic in the 25th infantry division and the 95th Evacuation Hospital in Danang, Vietnam. He is Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient. He also received a service award and combat medical badge. Orator applied to obtain a copy of his medical records from the VA but after waiting some time and not receiving the records, he contacted Davis' office to request assistance. Davis' office worked with both the Chicago VA Regional Office and the National Archives and Records Administration to successfully obtain Orator's records for him. Background: Last year, Congress passed H.R. 3230, the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act, to provide additional funding for the VA to hire doctors and lease more facilities as well as allowing veterans who are experiencing wait times of 30 days or longer or who live 40 miles or more from a VA facility to access care at private facilities. Davis has worked to ensure the VA follows the intent of the law when implementing the Veterans Choice Program so more veterans will benefit. Davis has also H.R. 3335, the Access to Veterans Benefits Improvement Act, his bipartisan legislation to improve the claims process through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) so veterans can get the answers they need more quickly. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |