Posted on 10/08/2010 5:34:30 PM PDT by DelaWhere
Wilmington, Del. – Christine O’Donnell, Delaware’s Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate, appeared with veterans today to announce an innovative new plan to improve health care for veterans. At a press conference near the Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center in Wilmington, O’Donnell said, “I believe those who have fought for our country and defended our freedoms should have freedom over their own health care.” O’Donnell’s plan would allow veterans to receive check-ups and basic medical care from local doctors who have been certified by the VA.
(Excerpt) Read more at christine2010.com ...
"John Cochran VA Medical Center in St. Louis has recently mailed letters to 1,812 veterans telling them they could contract hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) after visiting the medical center for dental work, said Rep. Russ Carnahan."
On a positive note, the VA hospital which is a distance from our area has opened a satellite clinic for our area. Hubby's brother did qualify for VA,so the clinic will be a big help to him.
There have been civilian hospitals, doctors and dentists who've had similar problems. One of the early and well publicized AIDS victims was a young lady who got the virus from a dentist (Florida IIRC)? And hospitals have had the odd nurse who decides that killing off the suffering is his or her duty, and medication mistakes happen in civilian hospitals.
None have a perfect record.
Active Duty/Retiree ping.
She needs to spend $500,000 promoting this plan. It gives her gravitas, and bona fides with a key constituency that is also respected by the public..
>>>There have been civilian hospitals, doctors and dentists who’ve had similar problems.<<<
Agreed - however, civilians could be held responsible in court.
Peacetime military medical services can leave a lot to be desired sometimes. I remember one base where I was stationed, there was a flap over 4 Doctors who were not normally required or called on for spinal taps - to maintain their rating/proficiency, they needed 6 each - you guessed it - next 24 people they saw suddenly needed spinal taps.
BUT, getting back on topic - Christine’s suggestion is for routine exams and treatments. That certainly makes a lot of sense. I know several who have to travel a couple of hours for routine follow-ups such as checking/removing stitches that entail a whole day - 2-2 1/2 hours each way and loooong waits when there. I know of one case where a relative went for a routine exam and upon getting there and spending two hours waiting, was finally told that his Doctor was on leave, it was rescheduled and when he went back, again Doctor wasn’t there - he had retired. Took two months for him to be reassigned to another Doctor. The voucher system would certainly have made this type of situation much more efficient and more readily available locally where we have 4 hospitals within 35 miles, and many hundred doctors, but the VA is all the way up in Wilmington, and appointments are months ahead.
Disclaimer - I have based this on my knowledge of others problems with it - while I am qualified for their services, based on my service in the very early ‘60’s, I have never had any need to turn to them for assistance as I have had other insurance coverages for medical, pharmaceutical and dental.
I can see considerable savings in the suggested system as well as much more timely care of high quality.
I’ve been saying this for years. Close all the VA hospitals and eliminate all of the staff at the VA and give veterans vouchers for health care.
Essentially if you are a veteran and have health care from you employer, then Uncle Sam would pay either the difference in your plan to make up 100% coverage or cover the cost for treatment above what your plan coverage is. If you don’t have health insurance than you get 100% paid medical.
I travelled with my dad when I was younger (he retired from the Army in 1963) then when I was old enough drove him to the VA hospitals all across the state of Washington up until the month before he died in 1990. If anyone owants to see what gubmint HC is like just go to a VA hospital or a Military hospital. Not saying the care wasn’t as good but there was always and I mean always some bureaucratic SNAFU every time we went.
Delaware Ping!
Greta’s interview today in Wilmington with Christine O’Donnell - People beginning to see the depth and breadth of knowledge were definitely evident. It shows the insight she has and has exhibited in some of the times I have talked to her.
Go Christine!
I’ve only used the VA a few times in recent years, and have had coverage with employers most of my adult life. I did go to the VA in Birmingham enough to know how it operates in many areas. Their GPs, or primary care physicians are full time VA employees. But many of the specialists are UAB doctors who come to the VA a day or two per week. I saw specialists who came to the VA hospital to see patients only one day per week. And some patients are sent to specialists’ private, local clinics for treatment.
It does make sense to use local doctors for basic care. If I go to the VA, it is a 150 mile round trip. There is a VA clinic for basic care that is an 80 mile round trip. What I’ve actually done is go to my regular GP, and then to the VA when I needed diagnostic tests and a specialist.
I saw that interview and she is even more polished and informed than I thought. It is great to see a new generation of patriotic Americans run for office.
Run Christine run! All the way to the Senate!
WooHoo!
We watched!!!!!!
This is the way it is here. The lib progressive priority #1 is to take out O’Donnell. You are right, she is genuine. Fight harder! Convert people and get them to vote for her. Make yourself uncomfortable doing so. It is worth it. This is how she beat Castle. Christine needs people like you.
We did too.
She showed a lot of common sense. And a breadth about foreign policy that was terrific.
I loved that Christine had to explain to Greta what a 50-50 was!!
She has a home run idea with the voucher system for veterans to get basic care services locally.
And I like that she said she subscribed to Ronald Reagan’s motto about our enemies; “We win, they lose”.
Viva Christine!!
Excellent idea.
Wonderful interview! Good ideas and she’s only getting better!
Christine deserves to win. I hope Delaware will realize this!!
>>Christine needs people like you.<<
Christine needs ALL of us working together to defeat Harry Reid’s “pet”. We can do it!
If I may ask - what service-related injury or disability did your husband incurr while in service?
Just wondering.
I ask because the VA site itself asks were :
You were discharged or separated for medical reasons, early out, or hardship
You served in theater of combat operations within the past 5 years
You were discharged from the military because of a disability (not preexisting)
You are a former Prisoner of War
You received a Purple Heart Medal
You receive VA pension or disability benefits
You receive state Medicaid benefits
because if you say NO - then
Based on the information you provided, your eligibility for VA health care benefits may be based on special factors such as service in Vietnam, other military history factors or even household income.
The money question comes up again.
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