War's Real Impact: Our Voices; Testimony from veterans, workers, military families, and students January 31, 2009 Chicago IL

I was honored to be asked to speak for 3 minutes at the witness held today.
My testimony:

My name is Katy Zatsick, mother of 2 and grandmother of 3.

Thank you for coming to listen to our life experiences and thank you to the organizers who have worked long and hard to gather us to give witness to the Real Impact of War.
I offer my support to all veterans and their families and to the members of IVAW.

My son Jason joined the US Army after September 11 and was ordered to Iraq Jan 2005. In October of 2005 Jason was injured by an IED and spent the next year at Walter Reed Army Medical Center recovering from his injuries including the loss of his right eye and arm. I spent 8 months living at WR assisting in Jason’s therapy and recovery. Jason is now completing a MBA at U of FL and will graduate in May.

Because of my activism for ending war, Jason and I have not spoken nor seen each other since December 2006. Jason’s father and I separated while I lived at WR and our divorce was finalized September 2008.

I have been a hospice chaplain for 7 years in the Chicago area. Because of the national debt caused partially by this war, cuts are being proposed and being made in health care services across the country at all levels of care.

The Vice-Pres of the national Association for Home Care and Hospice said, “Under proposals (cutting reimbursements) 75%-80% of home health agencies would be doomed. They would not be able to meet payroll. They would not be able to operate.” (Level of payment frozen in 2009 to 2013.)

Nineteen states have enacted or proposed cuts in Medicaid. Here in IL we know we have at least $3-5 billion budget shortfall. And what cuts will come to health care we do not know but know they will come.

This week the Chicago Tribune reported about four Mental Health clinics being shuttered. Dr. Mason, Chicago’s Public Health minister cited a $1.2 million shortfall in state funding. He went on to say “professional and support staffing levels had fallen to such low levels that patients could no longer be served effectively” This is only the tip of the iceberg in cuts to health care for all of us. We know of the increasing number of Americans without health insurance and those loosing benefits because of the ever increasing number of unemployed.

My own organization continues to downsize reacting to changes already instituted and planning for future funding cuts in both Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for hospices. My own position and all others who provide health care are threatened by the financial burden caused by war and the size of the USA military budget that is 46% of the world’s total. This total far out strips those of UK, France, Japan and China with 4-5% each for their military budgets.

Thank you for your attention.
Let us work to end war and to fund human services and needs.
Let us work to create a world of peace for our children and grandchildren and a healthy planet.

I listened as veterans, workers, labor union members spoke of the impact of war on their personal and professional lives. The panel was asked about Afghanistan "the good war" where Obama plans "a surge." Different folks responded. I also with these words:

"I will speak as a hospice chaplain who accompanies families as they say "Goodbye" to a loved one. Each life is precious, each life is unique. There is no God of this side or that side in war. God is the God of life not of death and destruction. God is the God of healing and walks with those suffering. We have not addressed the effects of depleted uranium that is destroying the water, food and land. I can say unequivocally "End War Forever" Our of Iraq, Out of Afghanistan."

I got a round of applause especially from the IVAW members.

One of the speakers was another mother from MFSO. She spoke of taking care of our soldiers when they come home. Please go to www.save-a-vet.org. "Save-a-vet NFP is an organization dedicated to the caring and well-being of all military and law enforcement working animals." Dexter, considered "equipment" by DOD, was present during the presentation. Dexter was a "MWD-military working dog, saved over 200 lives that fateful day by finding a truck filled with explosives" Dexter is the first dog that Randi's son has adopted as part of the program. Show your support of this wonderful new program. Thank you for your caring.

I met an IVAW member who needs support. He returned from Iraq with severe PTSD. His Ohio family labeled him "crazy" and threw him out of their family circle. He came up to me after the program and asked, "Would you like to be my mom? Maybe we could be family?" I replied, "We can be friends" I have his card with his email and will contact him. Another veteran, now living on the edge, the Real Cost of this and all wars.

Eugene Cherry made a movie with Matt Damon about Iraq. He is struggling to receive benefits for education from the VA. An ongoing struggle for so many. Eugene went AWOL and became a very public figure, I honestly don't think he will ever receive benefits of any kind from the military-payback for his work to bring out in the open the treatment of our veterans by this government who sends them into war-disposable equipment.

A truly fulfilling day. I felt energized when I left and hope to be able to speak out again many times in my life. I asked Mike-head of the AFSC in Chicago "Did I do well?" I am not good at extemporaneous speaking. Mike said, "Katy you did wonderfully well." I was relieved and happy and thought "I can die anytime and stand before my Maker unafraid." I have made mistakes but now I am speaking and living for peace and justice. It is enough!