Golden bill to give veterans access to Pease clinic passes House

AUGUSTA – A bill sponsored by Assistant Majority Leader Jared Golden, D-Lewiston, that will create a rapid fix for veterans unable to use a Maine driver’s license to get access to medical services at Pease Air National Guard Base was enacted by the Maine House of Representatives Wednesday.  The vote was 110-8. The bill goes to the Senate Thursday.

Since Feb. 1, approximately 500 Maine veterans who get their medical care at the Pease Air National Guard Base in Newington, N.H., haven’t been able to use their Maine driver’s license to access the base, according to a news release from the Maine House Democratic Office. Maine driver’s licenses don’t meet the new federal Real ID standard, which is being phased in over the next year.

“The Legislature has some responsibility for this situation because of its past decisions rejecting Real ID compliance,” said Golden, a Marine veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. “I’m glad we have been able to move quickly on a solution.”

A notice mailed to affected veterans from the Department of Veterans Affairs stated that a U.S. passport or passport card meets the Real ID criteria and will allow them access to Pease. After talking with federal officials, Golden determined that the simplest, quickest solution would be to make sure that the veterans had valid passports or assport cardsm the release said. The bill, LD 213, was amended in committee to pay for the affected veterans to get passport cards, which are less expensive than passports. The bill will only apply to veterans in southern Maine affected by the requirement.

“I have heard from several constituents who have lost access to the clinic at Pease,” said Rep. Deane Rykerson, D-Kittery, whose district borders New Hampshire. “Veterans who are receiving benefits from the VA shouldn’t be penalized for the actions of the Maine Legislature”