It seems that our President has given his blessing, no he specifically gave his approval, to cut benefits to veterans, increase the out of pocket cost some veterans pay for their meds, cut benefits/services, especially out-patient services at several facilities nationwide, and charge this new generation of veterans about $250.00 per stay in facilitles. This was a blurp I heard on CNN earlier this AM.
I did not get all of the blurp but when I heard this my blood pressure started going up. How dare he place the lives of our young people in harms way with his oil war, show disrespect to the veterans who have served in past times,and say "here's your bill" to the newer veterans. I may not have every fact straight but I have enough to have to pray extra hard this AM for this man. When, O Lord, are we going to see an end to this pretender?
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Deb, forgive me but I really don't understand what it is you think should happen.
I appreciate your feelings, but are you suggesting that once the VA enacts a program, that program should never be cut? Even when there are very few veterans who get any benefit from the program, and it is far more expensive to maintain than it is worth? Even when the program, by a vast majority, funds treatment for conditions that are not service connected? If so, we would still have programs in effect for care of civil war veterans! Take nursing home care for example. The vast majority of veterans in Veteran's Homes" are there not for care related to service connected conditions. They are there for the same reason others are in nursing homes: dementia, physical debilitation, etc. Not related to military service, but to simple old age. And yes, I know. I have worked in a VA nursing home, and I have seen the statistics. Would you suggest that all veterans be eligible for a nursing home, regardless of the status of whether or not they are there because of service related conditions? I'd hope not. These programs at the VA might be cut back, but if a veteran has a service connected condition that requires nursing home care, the VA will ensure they get it. Only instead of living at a VA nursing home, the veteran will have to live at a civilian nursing home, paid for by the VA.
The fact is that the cuts that so outrage some of you are nothing more than a realignment of assets by the VA to allow better service to the current population of veterans. It makes no sense to continue programs that are no longer needed, does it?
If you are referring to the quality of care received by MedicalMT1, then I have no argument. Except that all the funding changes in the world are not going to change this. This requires a fundamental change in philosophy at the VA as an entity. If however, you are referring to her difficulty in getting the VA to pay for her civilian treatment, then it goes back to a question I asked long ago that you never answered. Do you think all veterans are entitled to free medical treatment for the rest of their lives, regardless of whether or not the treatment is related to service connected conditions? Because if that is what you believe, as I said, you better get ready for an increase in VA funding. An increase as high as 10 or more times the current level of funding.
And again, as I pointed out, this particular veteran probably would have received the treatment from the VA, had she returned to the VA, rather than seek medical help at a civilian hospital.
And Kucinich and Pallone are doing the veteran shuffle for no other reason than the ability they believe it gives them to attack the current administration. They are up in arms over nursing home care, which goes back to my question above: Do you think all veterans are entitled to VA funded nursing home care, simply because they are veterans? Even if the reason they are in a nursing home has nothing whatever to do with their service? Or should the money currently being spent on nursing home care be reallocated to care for veterans with service related conditions? I notice that neither Kucinich or Pallone seems to have any figures on how much VA funding needs to increase to both pay for the nursing home care and care for veterans with service related conditions.
Another point of note, contained in the bit from Begalli that you quoted is that no one is being cut off from care. "But the VA would stop covering new residents of state veterans homes." Meaning those already there are going to continue to be treated. It simply says that they are not going to fund new residents. And be aware, when we talk "Veterans' Homes" we are talking about nursing homes. You get into a Veterans' Home by application on a space available basis. Many do not even consider the service connection status of the veteran. You are a veteran, you apply, you go on a waiting list, and when there is room, you get in. Period. Many of the state Veterans' Homes were initially set up by the states, apart from the VA. They are not VA programs, but have received some help from the VA. Now that there are more veterans coming home in need of treatment, the money that used to be given to these homes is needed for the new vets.
As to enrollment fees and copays, again, we are talking about veterans applying for care for non-service connected conditions. I get drugs and treatment for my service related conditions. I pay nothing for enrollment in the VA system, and pay no co-payment for my drugs. There is no plan to change this in the future. And Pallone and Kucinich care nothing for the veteran. They simply found another opportunity to bash the current administration. Sorry, I won't sit quietly by while they tell lies and half truths about me and my situation to make political hay.
Again, there are plenty of problems with the VA. I believe that VA medical treatment centers need to be shut down and the care farmed out to private facilities. In the long run, it will be cheaper, and the veteran will be better served. But none of this has anything to do with the VA budget or how the funds are being allocated.
Kevin McHugh
There is a huge disparity among VA homes, and that they go by state makes sense. The one my dh's grandmother volunteers in, is FAR from inadequate, dirty or poor of quality. Others are horrendous, I know. Why the disparity? Well, your fragmented management by state makes sense to me, Kevin. But it is wrong.
Somewhere, you asked if all vets should have free medical care no matter what. I would say "yes", if----we can cover illegal foreigners and long-term unemployed people on assistance, then yes, those who gave their time and sacrificed so much should be covered, too. I am like you in one way; I feel strongly about veterans' rights and their treatment. They do deserve the best. There is no such thing as "easy service" in the military. I know that firsthand as a vet, myself. Anyone who served even just one enlistment, honorably, has had to sacrifice plenty. Give back, is what I say. So YES, cover them, if we can so many others who did so much less to get their benefits. Apples and oranges? Maybe, but something I think about all the time.
I am not totally against your idea of "farming out" their care privately---as long as nothing is lost in the process and no one is cheated of what is rightfully due him or her. You are right; the system is so very broken and fragmented So, either FIX IT or come up with a viable and reasonable alternative. The present system is breaking down more everyday----maybe it does need to go private. I just want some sort of publically-accountable oversight that has integrity and our vets' interests at heart.
Really, Kevin, it would seem you and I want many of the same things. We want what is rightful for our honorable veterans. We may disagree on how this would be done---maybe not. I just know no honorably-discharged vet should do without anything medically, when others who never even sacrificed a thing, have access to care vets now or in the future, may lack. Make sense to you? I hope so.
I have no further desire to go around and around with you. I see what you are saying, and you are reasonable. I just worry if we do "farm out" care, it may actually get worse for vets. That I never want to see. Neither do you, from what I know of you, Kevin.
It seems that our President has given his blessing, no he specifically gave his approval, to cut benefits to veterans, increase the out of pocket cost some veterans pay for their meds, cut benefits/services, especially out-patient services at several facilities nationwide, and charge this new generation of veterans about $250.00 per stay in facilitles. This was a blurp I heard on CNN earlier this AM.
I did not get all of the blurp but when I heard this my blood pressure started going up. How dare he place the lives of our young people in harms way with his oil war, show disrespect to the veterans who have served in past times,and say "here's your bill" to the newer veterans. I may not have every fact straight but I have enough to have to pray extra hard this AM for this man. When, O Lord, are we going to see an end to this pretender?
I would love to know how the citizens of California went about getting former Gov. Gray Davis fired, for I would love to figure out how to go about getting George "burning our asses" bush out of office.
I would love to know how the citizens of California went about getting former Gov. Gray Davis fired, for I would love to figure out how to go about getting George "burning our asses" bush out of office.
Wishful thinking!!! But I'm affraid that will never happen. Bush has too many connections and is too crooked (OOPPPS!! Did I say that?!!).
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
I would love to know how the citizens of California went about getting former Gov. Gray Davis fired, for I would love to figure out how to go about getting George "burning our asses" bush out of office.
We have an initiative process here in California. It really couldn't work for removing a President. More's the pity right now, but that's life. Is it 2008 yet?
Hi, I am an 11 year vet. I had an emergency appendectomy at a local hospital last July (did not have time to make a 25 mile drive to the VA hospital). The total bill was $35.0000 and the VA dont want to pay for this. I called veterans affairs after I got out of the hospital last year and they told me there was a program called "fee basis" which covered vets who had to have emregency surgeries. Veterans affairs gave me the name and phone nimber of the person in that office at the VA hospital....I called explained the situation and left my phone number....she did not call back....I called a couple of weeks later....same thing...she did not call back.... My co-workers told me to apply for charity care (I was working part time making $10 an hour...poverty wages for new jersey). Charity care turned me down, so I called my senators office. They are a great help but the VA treat you like dirt. They talk to you like you are abother to them. The clerk at Fee basis office told me the other day "I will be so glad when your case is over". They dont like it now because heat is on them due to Senators office being involved.
My point is if the person's name, that the vets affairs office initially gave me had done her job, I wouldnt be dealing with this right now. I am also angry in the fact that I served this country for 11 years as a medic and we get this treatment. Tomorrow, the fee basis board meets to decidie if they should pay for my "emergency" or not. I ask God to please be on that board and give me a favorable outcome. I have lost many nights of sleep and shed tears over this. Thank you for listening.
Maria, a proud vet and nearly an R.N.
'
Maria, I'm very sorry to hear about this! Were you registered in the VA medical system prior to your emergency surg? I sincerly hope everything works out well for you.
Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.
How tragic that our Pres will send you to war and yet deny the responsibility to care for those who have been maimed in his name. No wonder we have a moral decay in our country. Like many, I can't wait for election day to come. Think of how many lives we may be able to save...and how many lives we will lose till then.
How tragic that our Pres will send you to war and yet deny the responsibility to care for those who have been maimed in his name. No wonder we have a moral decay in our country. Like many, I can't wait for election day to come. Think of how many lives we may be able to save...and how many lives we will lose till then.
Did you even read this thread? Or just skim the title?
Those that are"maimed in his name" do get medical care for all service connected disabilities. Kevin covered that quite well in his posts. And, if it is service connected, it matters not how the injury or illness was sutained.
Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.
Bob, I'm sorry, but I agree with SmilingBlueEyes.
There is a huge disparity among VA homes, and that they go by state makes sense. The one my dh's grandmother volunteers in, is FAR from inadequate, dirty or poor of quality. Others are horrendous, I know. Why the disparity? Well, your fragmented management by state makes sense to me, Kevin. But it is wrong.
Somewhere, you asked if all vets should have free medical care no matter what. I would say "yes", if----we can cover illegal foreigners and long-term unemployed people on assistance, then yes, those who gave their time and sacrificed so much should be covered, too. I am like you in one way; I feel strongly about veterans' rights and their treatment. They do deserve the best. There is no such thing as "easy service" in the military. I know that firsthand as a vet, myself. Anyone who served even just one enlistment, honorably, has had to sacrifice plenty. Give back, is what I say. So YES, cover them, if we can so many others who did so much less to get their benefits. Apples and oranges? Maybe, but something I think about all the time.
I am not totally against your idea of "farming out" their care privately---as long as nothing is lost in the process and no one is cheated of what is rightfully due him or her. You are right; the system is so very broken and fragmented So, either FIX IT or come up with a viable and reasonable alternative. The present system is breaking down more everyday----maybe it does need to go private. I just want some sort of publically-accountable oversight that has integrity and our vets' interests at heart.
Really, Kevin, it would seem you and I want many of the same things. We want what is rightful for our honorable veterans. We may disagree on how this would be done---maybe not. I just know no honorably-discharged vet should do without anything medically, when others who never even sacrificed a thing, have access to care vets now or in the future, may lack. Make sense to you? I hope so.
I have no further desire to go around and around with you. I see what you are saying, and you are reasonable. I just worry if we do "farm out" care, it may actually get worse for vets. That I never want to see. Neither do you, from what I know of you, Kevin.
SmilingBluEyes
20,964 Posts
Somewhere, you asked if all vets should have free medical care no matter what. I would say "yes", if----we can cover illegal foreigners and long-term unemployed people on assistance, then yes, those who gave their time and sacrificed so much should be covered, too. I am like you in one way; I feel strongly about veterans' rights and their treatment. They do deserve the best. There is no such thing as "easy service" in the military. I know that firsthand as a vet, myself. Anyone who served even just one enlistment, honorably, has had to sacrifice plenty. Give back, is what I say. So YES, cover them, if we can so many others who did so much less to get their benefits. Apples and oranges? Maybe, but something I think about all the time.
I am not totally against your idea of "farming out" their care privately---as long as nothing is lost in the process and no one is cheated of what is rightfully due him or her. You are right; the system is so very broken and fragmented So, either FIX IT or come up with a viable and reasonable alternative. The present system is breaking down more everyday----maybe it does need to go private. I just want some sort of publically-accountable oversight that has integrity and our vets' interests at heart.
Really, Kevin, it would seem you and I want many of the same things. We want what is rightful for our honorable veterans. We may disagree on how this would be done---maybe not. I just know no honorably-discharged vet should do without anything medically, when others who never even sacrificed a thing, have access to care vets now or in the future, may lack. Make sense to you? I hope so.
I have no further desire to go around and around with you. I see what you are saying, and you are reasonable. I just worry if we do "farm out" care, it may actually get worse for vets. That I never want to see. Neither do you, from what I know of you, Kevin.