I just read that Sen. Susan Collins won the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners "Legislator of the Year" award (June 28). Congratulations! Surely, you'll agree that only a true warrior for health care is deserving of such an award!

After all, as of May, Susan Collins had voted against health care for our veterans a total of 17 times. Our "maverick" senator even voted against an amendment to close a tax loophole and increase veterans' benefits.

Golly, we're pretty darn lucky to have a senator who will continually vote to send our troops into harm's way but doesn't care enough to make sure they're taken care of when they get home!

Earlier this year, Rep. Tom Allen introduced the Full Faith in Veterans Act of 2008, to increase care for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. He didn't get a shiny plaque.

Apparently in April, Sen. Collins also received the American Optometric Association Health Care Leadership Award. Perhaps I should call the American Optometric Association to have my eyes checked, because right now the choice is clear: Tom Allen will be a real champion for health care.

Ben Goodman, Kennebunk