Swinging for the troops Medic Now Foundation holds swing dancing fundraiser to aid veterans

They want to ease the burden of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses borne by active and retired military service members and their families.

These expenses may include copays and deductibles for emergency room and doctor office visits, or for the cost of medications.

It's been a journey three years in the making for Medic Now Foundation President and founder Michael Duggan. It's the Foundation's mission to help pay those out-of-pocket medical expenses through its Military HealthCare Stipend Program.

At Plymouth Memorial Hall Saturday, the Medic Now Foundation held its "Let's Swing for the Troops," fundraiser featuring The American Bombshells with the Beantown Swing Orchestra.

Duggan shared what motivates him. He said he has spoken with countless veterans, active service members and their families who see the value in the program, and not just for themselves.

"They started to think about friends of theirs that are serving or have gotten wounded and how this can benefit their friends," he said. "They're not thinking about themselves. They start immediately thinking of other people that this program could help. To me it just shows the unselfishness of a brother at arms."

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jason Galui, who served for three years on the National Security Council and is currently an assistant professor of economics and strategy at the U.S. Military Academy, joined the Medic Now Foundation as board member and military liaison.

Galui said the challenge today without infinite resources is how to meet the increasing needs of those who choose to join the military. He said the Foundation attacks the challenge of a resource gap and addresses the fundamental question of what is our obligation to those who serve or have served.

He said efforts to help military service members, veterans and their families begin at home with supporters of organizations like Medic Now, which aims to build relationships with healthcare facilities that will champion zero out-of-pocket expenses and help increase access to healthcare.

"It aims to break barriers in access to military healthcare," he said. "As a Foundation, we want to reduce and ideally eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for our military."

The Medic Now Foundation is partnering with PEX, a spending management company, to streamline the distribution of funds to veterans and their families using PEX Cards issued to military members. Spending limits can be established with this technology, as Ned Elton, chief growth officer at PEX, explained. A portion of each transaction will be donated back to the Foundation.

State Sen. Vinny deMacedo, R-Plymouth, and state Rep. Mathew Muratore, R-Plymouth, presented citations to Duggan and the members of the board of directors Saturday night for their commitment those who serve and have served, and their families.

As Duggan said, "The backbone of America are the men, women and families that serve and protect this country. It's our duty as Americans to never forget why they answered the call, and that's because we asked."

Follow Kathryn Gallerani on Twitter @kgallreporter.