Posted on 10/08/2010 5:34:30 PM PDT by DelaWhere
Wilmington, Del. Christine ODonnell, Delawares 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, ODonnell said, I believe those who have fought for our country and defended our freedoms should have freedom over their own health care. ODonnells 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 ...
Wilmington, Del. Christine ODonnell, Delawares 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, ODonnell said, I believe those who have fought for our country and defended our freedoms should have freedom over their own health care.
ODonnells plan would allow veterans to receive check-ups and basic medical care from local doctors who have been certified by the VA. It would decrease costs for veterans who currently have to travel sometimes long distances to a VA hospital for basic medical care, and improve efficiency by reducing the demand at VA hospitals.
Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Steve Udovich called ODonnells plan right on target. He explained how veterans groups in Sussex County often use fundraisers to offset the cost that veterans face for transportation to a VA hospital.
ODonnell is working to empower veterans by providing them with more health care choices, but Delaware Democrats say that There is absolutely no need for change in our current veterans health care system.
The choice is clear for Delaware voters on November 2: Chris Coons and the Delaware Democratic Party have run out of ideas, but Christine ODonnell has bold new solutions to make our government more efficient, less costly and more responsive to the needs of the people it serves.
Great idea.
I'm always in awe of a member of the military. I saw a young man who couldn't have been more than 21 in the Portland airport yesterday in a full Air Force dress uniform. We were both waiting for people to get off of planes, and before I left, I told him that I appreciate what he is doing for this great country.
I think that is a GREAT idea!
It is an idea that my wife thought up 25 years ago when her dad (WWII vet) was receiving awful care from the VA hospital. Instead of having crappy VA hospitals, allow veterans without insurance to get care under their VA benefits at their own doctor. To make sure that it doesn’t become another Medicaid-like program, allow ONLY veterans who are unemployed or cannot get insurance through their employers to use it.
Absolutely not. Their little empires are in danger and you can bet that the VA will use millions of taxpayer dollars to lobby Congress to make sure it doesn’t get passed.
BTTT
Vets can get dental care for conditions that threaten their health, which basically amounts to extractions and oral surgery for real problems, but no routine cleaning, fillings, root canals, etc., and certainly nothing cosmetic.
I’m special disabled (the highest priority, IIRC) and I’ve been told no when I go for severe toothaches, etc.
>>>no routine cleaning, fillings, root canals<<<
Not very smart - wait till health threatening before treatment...
2ndDivisionVet is correct though - as many are able to get NONE as services are just not available in all areas.
I never used VA dental, but was told they only did extractions. If you didn't elect to have a bothersome tooth extracted, then they wouldn't have done anything for you based on what I was told.
I was there this AM. No phoniness about her. Her concern is genuine. For the cynics, why would she fake it with so much to lose? She gave each of us veterans the stage to say why we supported her. I said that the last time I was this engaged in a political campaign was for Ronald Reagan and I expect the same result for my efforts.
Ran into a heckler before the press conference who started yelling at me about Joe Miller wanting to privatize VA. Truthfully, I didn’t have the foggiest idea of what he was talking about, and said so. Well, that really set him off. I calmly asked him if politics has forced us into yelling at each other. His answer was anemphatic, hate-filled YES.
Knowing a lost cause and with more important things to do, I decided to ignore the temptation. I suppose it was too much to ask him to take his head out of his seat and listen.
First time I have come face-to-face with the enemy. Time to lock and load, figuratively.
What I've said is correct for the VA hospital I've been to, and their dental staff consists of oral surgeons and technicians only. No general dentist practitioners.
A veteran with a disability rating of 100% receives 100% free medical, dental, and psychiatric care.
When I have to go to the VA hospital at Wade Park, east Cleveland, it is about a 125 mile drive one way. I am thankful for the $65 travel pay, but damn, east Cleveland. I’m just a country boy.
It's probably an expense consideration. If the VA offered full dental services, that would increase their professional staff and total cost by several billion annually.
I think a lot of veterans need to check with their county Veterans Service office. I feel that a lot of you are missing out on many benefits.
And if you don’t know how to contact them, just call your county court house. I’ll shut up now. Maybe
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.