I’m a disabled vet and have never re-entered a VA hospital since my last medical review. First of all there are plenty of folks who need it worse and second the care isn’t all that great.
Save the money for those returning from war and their care. Let the others get a job and pay for their insurance.
Universal health care does not work.
Wow, what a biased steaming pile. Exactly how is giving “vouchers to receive care at private, for-profit hospitals” the same as “seeking to cut off” health care? Talk about spin!
My best friend (on the train to work anyways), has been working for the VA for 2 decades, has seen it through the bad times, and the good. He has said this to me for as long as I have known him (10 years). While the VA hospital system is quite good these days, many vets hate the commute. Already, many are “farmed out”, so to speak, to private healthcare. Sounds like he is just looking to expand this system already in place.
“Veterans are also skeptical of McCain’s plans because as a senator, he has repeatedly voted against fully funding veterans’ health care.”
Many also thought McCain would be a champion of the possible POWs during the 1993 POW/MIA hearings. He was the opposite, doing everything he could to discredit witnesses who had evidence of possible live POWs, and doing everything he could to prevent the declassification of evidence of live POWs. He seemed more interested in disposing of the issue and granting diplomatic recognition to Vietnam.
Not sure about the details of his proposals related to the VA, but McCain is no champion of the veteran.
I’m not a veteran. But if I had cyst to remove, and had the choice of driving 100 miles to a VA hospital, or getting a voucher and having it done down the street by the local doctors, I’d chose the latter.
And I wouldn’t worry about how my not driving 100 miles to the overcrowded VA hospital might effect their budget.
I bet the VA is very good about hiring veterans.
I bet the VA also goes out of its way to have good relations with the various veteran’s organizations.
Veteran’s organizations may therefore feel it is in their interest to protect the VA as an institution, instead of just looking out for what is best for veterans as a whole.
This is the same argument the teachers unions put forth against vouchers for parents to send their kids to the schools of their choice. No agenda here.
This is a bogus story. McCain outlined his health program before the American Legion. He essentially refuted every point made against him in this article. He promised not to reduce the VA system, not block pending plans to expand the sytstem, increase expenditures on health care for veterans, and supplement care by providing veterans with a card that would allow them to use local facilities at VA expense to assist those vets who are not located conveniently to VA facilities. I am not a big McCain fan, but on this issue I trust him.
This is such a biased article, it almost leaves me gasping. First of all, giving vouchers for veterans so that they can obtain health care locally instead of driving 200 miles for a 15-minute visit? Good idea! Giving vouchers for private care will result in NOT a single vet being delayed from obtaining medical care; just the opposite will happen.
Boy, this writer has such an agenda.
On the face of it I don’t see a problem with it. The government committed to providing for the veteran disabled while in the service and this certainly does that. The fact that it may be in a private rather than a veteran’s hospital should make no difference.
The VA clinic in Las Vegas has a sign in the waiting room: "If you are still waiting 15 minutes after your appointment, come to the front desk." Does ANYBODY's doctor's office have a similar one? Because I drive a long way to get there, I often arrive 15-20 minutes early. I check in then, and many times I am taken in BEFORE my appointment time. Again, has that happened . . . ?
When I take my wife to her doctor, we routinely wait for at least a half-hour past her appointment - sometimes more. We've changed docs about twice a year as they come and go in this small town. Every one has been the same. Many of them act like my wife is a source of revenue rather than a person to heal - I don't get that feeling at the LV VA.
Besides, my Medicare is taken into account there, which helps defray the VA's expenses, so I don't see any benefits of this plan other than shuffling things around to no advantage. The "long trips" seems to be a smoke screen and I always get nervous when a politician wants to do something for my benefit. I have to drive 80 miles one way to the clinic, but thankfully it is only twice a year. They have a deal with the local hospital to take blood samples so we don't have to go down for that - no voucher involved. We also have a van service, courtesy the Elks, to LV twice a week for those vets who are unable to drive - again with no voucher.
Leave things the Hell alone.
Wrong! He is not trying to cutoff medical care for vets like me. He is suggesting giving acess to outside care.
And to all those who proudly claim that they have never stepped inside a VA, shame on you. I’ve had two operations there in the last year, and was treated great. They also, saved my Dad’s life. I’ve noticed that vets are really good at a few things, drinking coffee, smoking, and complaining. I’m all for complaining when it is warranted, but don’t make it a habit. Give credit where credit is due.
Never having heard of military.com I followed the link and copied this:
[About Us
We started Military.com in 1999 to revolutionize the way the 30 million Americans with military affinity stay connected and informed. Today, we’re the largest military and veteran membership organization — 10 million members strong.
Military.com’s free membership connects servicemembers, military families and veterans to all the benefits of service — government benefits, scholarships, discounts, lifelong friends, mentors, great stories of military life or missions, and much more.
We believe that the benefits earned in the service should be easier to access and written in plain English. We’re passionate about helping members make the most of military experience throughout life.
Military.com’s members are sharing stories, insider tips, news from the front lines, and unique slices of military life including the tough stuff of war.
Military.com provides headline news and technology updates since our community answers the call and makes news. We also cover the rest of the military experience — from great content like our user-generated videos in our popular “Shock and Awe” feature to our military equipment guide we present what makes the military unique (and fun).
In 2004, Military.com joined forces with Monster Worldwide (Nasdaq: MNST) to accelerate our growth and change the playing field for career and educational opportunities for servicemembers, veterans and military spouses. Monster’s vision is bringing people together to advance their lives, which is a great fit with Military.com’s “members first” ethos and goal of connecting the military community to all the benefits of service]
Sounds like they are mostly a headhunting service for employers and potential employees with a military background.
The editorial posed in this thread comes across as a labor union type of response to a “not-good-enough” corporate contract offer.
Actually, the biggest complaint their leadline makes is potential harm to wounded soldiers, while the editorial itself seems to argue for more pill-pushers and hand-holders.
It makes a poor point, IMO.
On the campaign trail, the Republican’s presumptive nominee has talked of a new mission for the Department of Veterans Affairs, suggesting that veterans with noncombat medical problems be given vouchers to receive care at private, for-profit hospitals. In other words, McCain is seeking to cut off the kind of universal health care that the government has guaranteed to veterans for generations.
I am a disabled vet and would not enter a VA hospital on a dare unless ordered to. Vouchers for for free care at better, civilian Med Centers? I’ll take that in a heartbeat, and thank John McCain for it!