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Add VA Health Care to Any Univ Health Care Plan
Here's a way to save money, save jobs, give veterans the same health care as any other human being and save veterans from traveling for hours across many miles just to get the health care they need.
President Barack Obama should include veterans health care with any Universal Health Care plan his administration comes up with.
If this is done, the veteran would receive a VA Health Insurance card and it would be used just like any other private/governmental health care card at any clinic or hospital in the nation.
Veterans of course would pay no more than they already are required to pay, possibly less since money will be saved by closing down the VA hospitals and clinics across the nation.
As for the jobs of those employed at the VA hospitals and clinics, those doctors and nurses can apply at other medical facilities. News reports have recently stated there is a great shortage across America for these jobs.
Lastly, if veteran's health care is included in any universal health care plan sent to Congress, members of Congress will find it very difficult to vote 'no' on the bill. They would be voting in essense, 'no' to veterans, our heros.
President Barack Obama should include veterans health care with any Universal Health Care plan his administration comes up with.
If this is done, the veteran would receive a VA Health Insurance card and it would be used just like any other private/governmental health care card at any clinic or hospital in the nation.
Veterans of course would pay no more than they already are required to pay, possibly less since money will be saved by closing down the VA hospitals and clinics across the nation.
As for the jobs of those employed at the VA hospitals and clinics, those doctors and nurses can apply at other medical facilities. News reports have recently stated there is a great shortage across America for these jobs.
Lastly, if veteran's health care is included in any universal health care plan sent to Congress, members of Congress will find it very difficult to vote 'no' on the bill. They would be voting in essense, 'no' to veterans, our heros.
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Anyone defending their country should NEVER have to pay a dime, EVER! The very best care & time in receiving it needs to be a given, PERIOD.
March 11, 2009 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Every type of govt sponsored health care should be folded in to one public health care system. Not just veterans. But the active military as well!
March 11, 2009 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely. It would save costs tremendously and increase the quality of care. Medicare for all, including veterans.
March 12, 2009 9:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Asinine idea...Current A delivers better care at a lower cost than private sector clinics. We have opened hundreds of outpatient clinics to bring the care to the veterans and reduce travel times. This idea is a nonstarter as the veterans organizations oppose any changes.
March 11, 2009 8:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you think driving for an hour or more just to sit for another two hours or more waiting for a check up or a blood test BETTER care and better timing -- you are NUTS. To top that off you have to get VA approval before actually DOING anything major.
Nope, sorry, everybody should be under the same health care access -- it's simple --- it's fair.
March 11, 2009 8:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
All federal employees should also be reigned in under the same health care plan that will be offered to everyone else. Including Congress. That's one way to make sure the system worked, if they had to live with it like we do.
Of course, they'll never vote for that. They're going to hang onto their privileged health care.
March 12, 2009 1:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Coonsey, sounds like you've got some issues with the VA. Sorry it's turned out that way for you. Here in the Northwest, my partner is nothing but grateful for the terrific care he's received (okay, the pharm is always a pain) and if I weren't so tired and it weren't so late, I'd find the links to stories detailing why it's the best healthcare system in the country. One thing I remember from my past research is the number of older guys NOT dying of heart attacks compared to patient populations elsewhere.
I have private provider care. Don't even ask, cuz it isn't all that great.
March 12, 2009 6:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps its changed in the last 5 years but the last I worked around them, you had to drive 3 hours to the hospital, sign in and get paperwork, wait for several hours, get worked on/treated, sent home after filling out paper work for travel and a next appt, get home only to find out what they did made things worse and caused you to return for more assistance. This happened 3 times for one problem. We ended going to the nearby hospital to get the problem fixed FINALLY (having to pay for that bill ourselves).
That was just one illness/health issue. It's happened before too.
You might also go to a non-va doctor nearby, and even if that doctor recommends surgery, the va will 'study' the issue and have you reevaluated at their clinic/hospital or simply deny you the surgery because they can't see the need for one.
Too much darn paperwork and too many doctors involved. You rarely see the same one twice and you NEVER get to CHOOSE who you see.
March 12, 2009 9:06 AM | Reply | Permalink