Susan Collins fights for our veterans | Letter
Senator Susan Collins’ Intervention Speeds VA Emergency Authorization for Maine Veteran
Athol, Massachusetts – A Maine‑born U.S. Army veteran’s emergency medical authorization was granted after a senator’s office stepped in to resolve a delay that could have jeopardized timely treatment. Pam Harris, a nurse who lives in Athol, recounted the experience in a letter to the editor of the Press Herald during the 2026 election season.
The veteran, Don Raymond, was born and raised in Frenchville, Maine, where he lived for 84 years. He and his wife spent winters as snowbirds in the South, but when he fell ill, Harris brought him to Boston’s Tufts Medical Center for an extensive procedure. Although Mr. Raymond had Medicare, the treatment fell under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. In such cases, VA regulations require a 24‑hour emergency authorization. However, the VA failed to issue the needed approval within that window.
“Housing the authorization was critical, and the Tufts surgeon’s office kept calling, saying they hadn’t received it,” Harris wrote. “I was running out of options to expedite the authorization.”
Facing the possibility of a delayed procedure that could have harmed her father’s health, Harris called the office of Senator Susan Collins in Caribou. She spoke with Pam Gerow, a staffer in Collins’ district office. Gerow listened to Harris’ concerns and acted immediately. “We received the needed authorization early the next morning,” Harris reported.
The emergency authorization was issued in time for the procedure, although Mr. Raymond ultimately passed away several weeks later. Despite the loss, Harris expressed deep gratitude for the help she received. “I will be forever grateful to Pam Gerow and Susan Collins,” she wrote. “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.”
Collins’ office has a long history of working with veterans in Maine. Her support is cited in several state‑wide initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency of VA services. Harris’ letter highlights the impact of individual advocacy on the bureaucratic processes that govern veteran benefits.
The incident underscores the importance of timely emergency authorizations for veterans seeking urgent care. The VA has reiterated that it is bound by a 24‑hour response time, yet delays can occur. Harris’ account suggests that personal intervention by elected officials can bridge gaps that might otherwise compromise patient care.
As Maine prepares for its 2026 elections, stories like Harris’ illustrate the intersection of federal veterans’ benefits, state politics, and individual advocacy. While the outcome was bittersweet, the experience confirms that veterans and their families can rely on elected representatives to expedite critical health services when official channels falter.
