Posted on 07/28/2014 12:38:46 PM PDT by lilyramone
A bipartisan deal to improve veterans' health care would authorize at least $17 billion to fix the health program scandalized by long patient wait times and falsified records covering up delays, the bill's chief supporters said Monday.
The agreement includes $10 billion in emergency spending to make it easier for veterans who can't get prompt appointments with Veterans Affairs doctors to obtain outside care; $5 billion to hire doctors, nurses and other medical staff; and about $1.5 billion to lease 27 new clinics across the country, the chairmen of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs committees said.
The bill also would expand a scholarship program for veterans to include surviving spouses of military members who died in the line of duty, allow all veterans to qualify for in-state college tuition, and grant the VA secretary authority to immediately fire senior executives, while providing employees with streamlined appeal rights.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
So many veterans have physical, emotional and psychological problems related to their time in war zones. They need medical professionals who are trained and experienced in dealing with their often unique needs. The VA failed them miserably, for sure. But I don't see how them going to doctors who aren't trained in Veteran's care would solve the problem.
Even if they got insurance, I wonder if they'd get the most qualified doctors, or just be in an even worse situation.
It’s the Socialism, Stupid!
The people that I've dealt with at the VA have been great, but the system is screwed up. A lot of the facilities are WWII era buildings that have been poorly maintained.
It takes me 6 months to get an appointment and I have no say in when it is. They send me a letter telling me when the appointment has been scheduled for and a warning that if I don't show up at the appointment time I will have to wait another 6 months to be scheduled.
If ya only handed out med benefits for those injured while in the service, that wouldn't be any different than what workers comp provides to all non-veterans.
Not much of an incentive OR benefit for all those who gave up *years* of their lives to serve.
If the health issue isn't service connected, why should the taxpayers foot the bill? And even more so with the PTSD scam growing at epidemic proportions
Once again, see the bold.
You suggesting veterans who serve, taking years out of their lives, away from civilian life, better paying jobs, at great risk to themselves for you and me, should not at least be afforded VA medical benefits?
Maybe instead of dumping VA medical benefits for our veterans, you should write your corrupt government representative and tell them to take a 50 percent pay cut in their fat government pensions, end government unions and while they’re at it, secure the borders and end this epic gang rape of the American treasure.
When it comes to this corrupt government, there are endless places to cut in every direction. If ya want I can list them for ya.
Have they fired any of the anti-Vet creeps who allowed Vets to die from neglect??? No, I didn’t think so. Putting more money into what is a management culture problem will only increase that sick culture.
“I assume the proposed “insurance card” would work like a Medicare card, funded by savings from the second proposal, dismantling the VA system”
Well, dismantling the system would save a lot of money, but my proposal might well cost more than the present system.
That doesn’t matter. We owe them and we should pay, cost be damned.
Agreed.
I doubt they need that much money. What they need is to get rid of the union. A union whose contract ties the hands of management from getting the work done.
17 billion to blow on affirmative action hires. YAY.
I have followed the VA for forty years as a medical student, consulting physician, funded researcher, and as a citizen.
I can tell you that the problems at the VA go far, far beyond unionization of the employees.
Well said. My use of the VA was for meds only. I was satisfied with the VA. However, there exists many organizations, like wounded warriors, purple heart etc,, which make it appear the VA is underfunded or these supplemental groups would not exist. But it boils down to is no amount of money will help the sad needs of some vets. Being in like company as provided by the specialized VA may provide some support.
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