1. United States
2. Neb.
3. Letter

As a retired brigadier general, you’ve no doubt had to make hard calls for the good of your troops. Your vote on the OBBBA is another hard call: Do you protect the people who protected us—or align with a policy that undermines their care in a time of need? You served with men and women from all over the country, including rural America. Many of them—and their families—still call places like North Platte, Grand Island, and Beatrice home. Their nearest hospital might be the only one for 60 miles. And if Medicaid funding is slashed, that hospital could close. Yes, they may have TRICARE. Yes, veterans have the VA. But when a crisis strikes and the closest VA is three hours away, they depend on that rural hospital. If it’s gone, they have nothing. You’ve led soldiers in harm’s way. You understand that leadership is about preserving life, not balancing ledgers at the expense of the vulnerable. Right now, Medicaid is the backstop keeping hospitals open—not just for low-income families, but for reservists, retired service members, children, and seniors. This isn’t about party or politics. It’s about people. Your NO vote could save lives—not in theory, but in the emergency rooms of rural Nebraska. Honor your legacy of service with a decision your former troops would salute.