This article was written by Amado C. Salinas II, National Legislative Council Liaison and Area 5 Judge Advocate
Left to Right: Lt. Carlos Miller, Houston Police Department; Dr. Rafael Melgar, HCA Global (CEO); Amado C Salinas, TAL National Legislative Council Department of California; Alejandro Melgar, HCA Global (CFO); veteran; Kevin Collier, SFC 75th Ranger Regiment U.S. Army (RET); Esteban Blis, SSG U.S. Army (RET).
I was asked to be the keynote speaker for an Annual Veterans Morning Symposium.
Although we have quite a number of veterans that live in Latin Americas, we have very few posts in Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, and Medellín, Colombia.
I met with the CEO & CFO of “HCA Global” (two brothers: CEO Dr. Rafael Melgar and CFO Alejandro Melgar). HCA Global provides medical services in Latin Americas. As a third party provider they have developed the capabilities to tend to our veterans and their dependents via the Foreign Medical Program (FMP). They have also staffed their services with individuals that work with the veteran to help file for ratings and medical services.
A challenge is the veterans and dependents need their DoD ID Card to verify they can get medical coverage via the FMP in these Latin American countries.
A Medical Retired SSGT Esteban Blis has taken the challenge and has secured DoD Id Cards, and register the veterans and families into the FMP Medical Services Program.
I was able to disseminate information about the various bills, and “PACT Act“ and “The Major Richard Star ACT“. I addressed a lot of questions during Q&A.
I then proceeded into the “Welcome Home Vietnam War Era Ceremony”, and presented about 20 pins and Presidential Proclamations to the Vietnam vets in attendance of the Symposium.
I then challenged them to start up an American Legion Post for Medellin, Colombia.
The two owners of HCA Global also see an opportunity to provide medical services in Mexico for our veterans and their dependents.
So, I put them in contact with the American Legion Banderas Bay Post 12 Commander Jessie Cole Rivera. It looks like we will be visiting Puerto Vallarta again to help move forward on the mental health facility and now include a medical hospital for that region.
Author: caLegion Contributor
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