WSJ: A Veteran Ploy (Kerry on VA benefits, hospital closings)

Wall Street Journal ^ | September 29, 2004 | Editorial

[OESY]

...To find out why the VA is closing some hospitals, the Kerry campaign might put in a call to Bill Clinton. In the mid-1990s it became clear that the VA's model of large hospitals focusing on in-patient care was outmoded, wasteful and did not meet the needs of an increasingly dispersed veteran population. One estimate found that the VA was wasting $1 million a day keeping open psychiatric, tuberculosis and other empty wards. So like the rest of the health care community, the VA began offering more out-patient care by opening hundreds of clinics around the country. In 1996 the VA operated 200 clinics. Today it runs 700 and is planning additional ones in Cleveland, Las Vegas and Tampa and 150 other places.

However, even government doctors cannot offer free services and then reasonably expect to treat everyone who might walk in the door. In 1996 Congress created a new system that gives greater priority to veterans who are poor or who suffer from military-related disabilities. VA Secretary Anthony Principi told us that he used these rules to determine that it is not possible right now to provide care for vets not yet in the system and who have only a few years of service, incomes above $35,000 or so and no service-related disabilities.

This is where Mr. Kerry comes in with a promise to "lead the fight" for "mandatory funding" for health care for all veterans. That sounds nice on the stump, but in practice it would make veteran benefits look a lot more like Medicare and a lot less responsive to changing veteran needs. It could also cost as much as $165 billion through 2008, according to Congressional Budget Office estimates. More federal money is almost always the answer in Washington, but it's rarely the cure.

[Roccus]

Not sarcastic or wise guyish;
With the natural attrition of WWII, Korean and Viet Nam vets, as well as the ending of the draft 30yrs. ago, is it possible that the number of vets has gone down markedly?

[elli1]

OTOH, those still living are older and in need of increased medical attention.

[Roccus]

Agreed, but I'd still be interested in seeing some FACTUAL numbers.

[mom4melody]

I work at a VA and had one of those misinformed "kerry" vets show up at my office. The fact is, a lot of the Vets making $35,000 or higher salary have health insurance and unless they need care for a service related injury, they go to non-va facilities. My location is a medical center, has several community out-patient clinics, a nursing home which includes a domiciliary for homeless vets. Yes, there will be closings. Take Cleveland...there are 2 medical centers..Wade Park and Brecksville, which is a campus of old buildings out in the country. That is being closed but along with that closing, Wade Park is adding on to their site. No one will lose care, no one will lose a job. The VA, like all health care providers, must adapt to changing demographics. And on a side note, the care in my facility is top notch.

[smiley]

One would think the last thing Kerry would want to do is remind veterans that he's one of them.....

[elli1]

Agreed, but I'd still be interested in seeing some FACTUAL numbers.

I ran across a relatively recent stat that WWII vets are dying at a rate of approx. 1100 per day, or slightly over 400,000 per year.

[elli1]

And on a side note, the care in my facility is top notch.

Keep up the good work. It is appreciated.

[Roccus]

My point exactly, at this rate we are reaching a point where having the number of VA hospitals that we do is no longer cost effective. What the ans. to this problem is, I have no idea. That is why we elect leaders.

[bushfamfan]

A couple months back Larry King had Ross Perot on his show to honor him for service to our men and women in uniform and Bush's Sec. of Vets Affairs Anthony Principi appeared on it to thank him and Perot and fmr. Head of the Joint Chiefs Hugh Shelton praised him for his work on vet affairs, saying he is doing a great job. So apparently a lot of things are being improved. Never heard Kerry crying and concerned under the Clintoon administration.