Boehner wants to privatize VA

WHIO.com ^ | 5-23-14 | Jessica Wehrman

[windcliff]

WASHINGTON — More than two decades ago, House Speaker John Boehner said he offered an idea that was controversial at the time: Why not privatize the Department of Veterans Affairs?The idea was soundly rejected by veterans organizations.Now, in the midst of a sweeping scandal over reports that veterans had died waiting for treatment, Boehner, R-West Chester Twp., said Friday that the idea still has merit.

“I still like the idea and especially now,” he said, but cautioned that “until we understand what’s happening and until we understand whether it can be fixed or how it can be fixed, all veterans seeking care shouldn’t have to wait.”Boehner, in an exclusive interview with the Dayton Daily News Friday, said he believes the problems at the VA are “systemic,” and said he is not convinced that having VA Secretary Eric Shinseki resign will fix the problem.

[xrmusn]

Reagan proposed privatizing the VA
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I think one proposal of Reagan was to open VA Hospitals in rural areas to ALL on space available basis.
I don’t think ‘he’ really explained what he was trying to do or maybe ‘we’ just thought he was another pol trying to ‘take something away from the Vet’.

Believe his goal was that if the VA Hospitals were being used they could remain open and it would also allow Vets to use Private Hospitals if a VA facility wasn’t handy.

[Georgia Girl 2]

It could not be worse than it is now.

[BwanaNdege]

If the Feds gladly embrace “vouchers” (in the form of EBT cards and Food Stamps) to aid the “poor” why don’t they do the same for Veteran’s medical care needs?

[Wolfie]

Sounds good, but how do you pay for it. We know cuts to something else won’t fly.

[khelus]

The problem we are rapidly running into is that neither Government nor Corporations are competent to run anything ESPECIALLY something that cares for our heroes.

Until we recognize the enemies on all fronts we are in grave danger.

This, in a nutshell, is our problem. We live under crony capitalism aka fascism. Healthcare has become big business and is not delivered under free market conditions. This is the catch-22 when one speaks of privatizing anything government run.

[GailA]

Here is another IGNORED SCANDAL, this is what I’ve dug up so far. The NEW DOD MANDATE that TRICARE LIFE Retired Military are to use either Base Dispensary or Express Scripts for their maintenance meds went into effect 4/14/2014. Very cunbersome system, when you are use to a Family owned private Pharmacy, where you are treated like a family member and a human. To this dehumanizing process, Base dispensary is NOT set up to deal with Seniors especially handicapped ones. When it comes time to reorder your meds they come out of Pensacola, FL for the TN region. 5 days to get a refill. 2 days to get a first script. Unless you want to sit 3+ hrs waiting for it to be filled. It will be a turn in, and go back the next day to pick it up. Express Scripts is a 2 week process. Your drugs are shoved NO PHOTO ID SIGNED for into your mailbox by USPS. Available to kids, meth makers or just thieves.

Money trail needs to be found, and soon. Rumor mill has it Medicare and Medicaid will be forced to Express Scripts. Creating more a SINGLE PROVIDER medicine machine, wiping out family Pharmacies.

Express Scripts Accused Of Defrauding State And Consumers Out Of Millions Of Dollars
http://www.ag.ny.gov/press-release/express-scripts-accused-defrauding-state-and-consumers-out-millions-dollars

NY attoney general sues Express Scripts, Benefits firm accused of inflating prices, keeping up to $100 Million
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/5601076/ns/business-corporate_scandals/t/ny-attorney-general-sues-express-scripts/#.U381ECh7SMQ

Express Scripts Extortion Scheme Widens
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/09/express_scripts_breach.html

Express Scripts complaints
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/rx/express_scripts.html

ES Customer Service ranking
http://www.customerservicescoreboard.com/Express+Scripts

Express Scripts RIP OFF
https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/directory/express-scripts

ES buys out Medco
29 Billion
http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20120402/NEWS/304029961

For TRICARE PRIME Tricare PRIME
http://www.armytimes.com/article/20130802/BENEFITS06/308020011/DoD-silent-major-changes-Tricare-Prime
2 links

Air Force MiCare
http://www.military.com/military-report/air-force-micare?ESRC=miltrep.nl

[GailA]

VA is income means tested. Hubby is Ret SCPO, 73, TRICARE LIFE/MEDICARE. VA denies him health care because with 2 SS checks and his Navy Pension, keep in mind his service yrs were 60-80 when pay was low. HE makes TO MUCH for VA healthcare. In the process of applying for service disability we are at the 1 yr mark on that, flight deck hearing loss, and Retinitis from cleaning chems that left holes in his vision. Unfix able.

[khelus]

Thanks for all those links