Image Credit: Morgan Wix Leggins / Facebook & Andrew Leggins / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Clarksville resident and military veteran Andrew Leggins has struggled for over six months to add his wife, who has severe scoliosis and Hashimoto’s disease, to his health benefits, but has been stonewalled by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at every turn.
After tying the knot in June, Leggins immediately contacted the VA to add his wife to his CHAMPVA plan as his bride requires medications, monthly blood testing, and spinal surgery but has been deferred in 30-day increments for the past several months. Leggins frequently followed up with calls to no avail and was forced to pay $300 out of pocket last month for bloodwork while just, “trying to keep us above water.”
Ultimately, Leggins resorted to applying for expensive private healthcare, though that coverage won’t even start until January 12. He told local media outlet Clarksville Now that in the last month his wife’s condition has deteriorated further and that her medication would run out in December.
“Her hands are ice cold; it’s not an exaggeration, it is painfully cold to touch her hands,” he said. Leggins wife was also scheduled for surgery in January of 2025 to correct the curve in her spine, but it was postponed due to the lack of health insurance, nor will the doctor speak to the couple until the new private coverage begins.
After reportedly reaching out to the Montgomery County Veteran Services Organizations (VSO), Congressman Mark Green’s office, and congressional liaison officers with no success, he then contacted the VA Crisis Hotline only to be told his inquiries remained “under review,” waiting to move to the “work phase.”
“My main concern is I have made them aware this entire time that my wife has two medical conditions. She takes medications every day. I told them my wife is on borrowed time,” Leggins stated. He also expressed his frustration with the entire process, “I just want the VA to get their act together. This whole thing has been delayed so much. Everything keeps getting pushed further and further out. … I’ve heard people wait two years before getting approved by the VA.”
Fortunately, two days after Clarksville Now reached out to the VA for comment, who has not responded as of this writing, Leggins received a call from the VA and was informed his wife had been added to his CHAMPVA Benefits, and a representative from the Office of Media Relations also contacted him to discuss the situation. Hopefully Leggins’ wife will now be able to resume her necessary medical treatments.
Veteran care across the state seems to be slipping through the cracks as recently, The Tennessee Conservative reported the Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes Board is approximately $1 million in the red, with questions over quality of care and staffing issues.
Brandon Lewis (Tennessee Conservative Founder), posed this question to Republican lawmakers on X about the article, “Why can we spend $600 million dollars on educating Illegal Aliens in Tennessee but we can’t take care of our veterans? That’s a big question for TN Republican leadership…”
With the 2025 legislative session rapidly approaching, no bills have yet been filed indicating veteran care will be a priority this year.
However, Tennessee Representative Jay Reedy (R-Erin-District 74) has filed a House Joint Resolution that urges the U.S. Congress to enact legislation to expand and improve efforts to treat traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans.
Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
