VA Reforms Removed from Massive Spending Bill

Stars and Stripes 22 Mar 2018 ^ | 22 Mar 2018 | Nikki Wentling

[Makana]

WASHINGTON -- A deal collapsed Wednesday to include multiple Department of Veterans Affairs reforms in a spending bill that Congress formulated to prevent a government shutdown.

Earlier this week, the bill was set to contain a measure to overhaul the VA Choice program, which veterans use to access private-sector medical care. A deal reached between key House and Senate lawmakers on VA oversight also included an expansion of benefits for veteran caregivers, as well as a plan to initiate a systematic review of VA infrastructure, with the intention of disposing of aging and underused facilities nationwide.

[Redleg Duke]

The UniParty wants the Republicans to lose the House and Senate so that they can impeach the President and save the swamp.

[cranked]

Trump had better not sign this POS bill.....

[novemberslady]

From the link...

The option of more choices in health care for veterans was a promise that President Donald Trump offered during his election campaign. The crux of the dispute is how far veterans' health care should be pushed into the private sector.

Everyone involved in negotiations seems to agree the next iteration of the program should do away with the rules that allow veterans to go into the private sector only when they live more than 40 miles driving distance from a VA facility or have to wait longer than 30 days for an appointment.

But House Democrats think the Senate's proposal -- the one intended for inclusion in the spending bill -- "makes virtually zero changes to eligibility from the current, arbitrary 30-day, 40 mile rule," Anderson said.


I think it's amazing that someone on Medicaid can go to any doctor or hospital and not pay a cent.

And no one on Medicaid has a 30 day rule, more than 40 mile rule for their treatment.

And with that 40 mile rule, the VA does not take into consideration the travel time to go to the VA facility.

[novemberslady]

People on Medicaid should not be treated better than the Veterans.

[txrefugee]

But Planned Parenthood,sanctuary cities, and Obamacare
are fully funded by our tax-dollars plus credit from our Chinese bond holders. What a disaster. Jim Jordan, conservative from Ohio, says this is the worst budget bill he has ever seen, surpassing anything from the Obama years.

Email the President at whitehouse.org TODAY and tell him to VETO this horrible sell-out by Republican leaders in the House and Senate or conservatives will stay home in November.

[PAR35]

Idiot reporter badly needs a copy editor to keep her from embarrassing herself with sentences like this:

“A deal collapsed Wednesday to include multiple Department of Veterans Affairs reforms in a spending bill that Congress formulated to prevent a government shutdown.”

Her journalism profs should have spent more time on structure and style than or social justice and advocacy.

[Harpotoo]

Vets are always getting EF’d! I was promised Health Care for Life with my service but it was taken away from me via the implementation of means testing. Promise broken whether I need it or not!

[Harpotoo]

It’s just a slower BOIL when voting Rep now it truly seems with the exposure of this POS Bill. Trump will not veto it! Dems will declare factual victory! No I won’t vote Dem I just won’t vote anymore.

[Harpotoo]

Look at his Tweet, he aint gonna veto it.

[central_va]

The way to defeat DC is to secede from it. Texas are you listening?

[newfreep]

It’s almost as if the GOP-E is trying to diminish GOP support in the 2018 elections so the D’rats gain control of the House and impeaches Trump.

Surely, Trump recognizes this threat...and is being forced to sign the Socialist spending bill WITHOUT THE WALL.

[Harpotoo]

+2

[redcatcherb412]

Not expanding the Choice program will suck. I have been saved more than a few 8 hour round trips to the ABQ VA hospital with the program. Being able to get faster care only a few miles from home compared to an almost 200 mile drive one way is a blessing.

[Harpotoo]

Yes I almost feel that he’s being told sign this and Mueller investigation end with you unscathed. If the GOPe ever wanted me feeling “almost” defeated they are doing a fine job at it.

[Cboldt]

It's demoralizing, but that's how the bastards intend to win, or at least part of the calculus. Trump can;t pass legislation, the biggest skunks in the downfall of the country are in Congress, with Courts being a close second. Presidents get cabined by career government, but for the most part are in cahoots with the plan to reduce national sovereignty slowly over time.

Trump is one man, but he is by far not alone. Just outnumbered in the government environment. Taking the country back is the job of the people. Don't drop your cold anger. Mine gets stronger by the day. The Gandhi/Galt method is proven to work.

[Georgia Girl 2]

But they are expanding the H2-B visa program. And no money for the wall. If Trump signs this thing you can kiss the midterms goodbye.

[jpsb]

The GOP is going to get killed in 2018. No money for the wall? Screw the GOP.

[Harpotoo]

Thanks, I needed that:-)

[donozark]

The AFGE has fought the Choice Program tooth and nail. As have the various Veterans Orgs. And I ‘m a Life Member VFW. Very disappointed in them. The Choice Program actually works, for those of us in rural areas. I’ve benefitted twice from this program.

[novemberslady]

The AFGE has fought the Choice Program tooth and nail. As have the various Veterans Orgs.

And many of the doctors that have accepted Choice in the past, are not any more.
They're not being paid, or getting partial payments, or having to fight to get paid.

It's wrong that a Veteran (especially a 100% disabled veteran) needing surgery can't have that closer to their home with the VA paying for it (or at least picking up the co-pay for Medicare. (or have Medicare pay first then have the VA pay the balance.)