VA Watchdog Stuff
cups, hats, shirts
click here to
support the site





Be sure to get all five
VA Watchdog dot Org
RSS feeds --
Daily VA
News Flashes
House CVA
Veterans' News
Senate CVA
Veterans' News
VA Press
Releases
VSO Press
Releases

Download your
free copy of the
2007 VA benefits
handbook here...

Printer-Friendly Version

McCAIN PROMISE WOULD DISMANTLE VA AND PRIVATIZE

VETERANS' HEALTHCARE -- "I'm going to get every one

of our veterans a plastic card to take to their doctor

or healthcare provider to get the care they need."

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Presidential Candidate

forward commentary by Larry Scott

Up to now, Republican and Democratic presidential candidates have steered away from controversy when it comes to veterans' issues.

That all changed when Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) promised healthcare cards to all veterans to use where they wish.  McCain said:  "I'm going to get every one of our veterans a plastic card to take to their doctor or healthcare provider to get the care they need."

We only have to look at a little bit of history to see where this would go.

Military retirees were told they would get lifetime healthcare at military hospitals.  As bases (and the hospitals) were closed, retirees found themselves with a "plastic card" that says TRICARE on it. 

So retirees have found themselves stuck in a HMO.  Many pay outrageous deductibles and co-pays.  And, because TRICARE reimbursement is tied to Medicare reimbursement, many TRICARE card holders have a difficult time finding doctors and hospitals that will accept their "plastic card."

If McCain's promise becomes a reality we would see the doors to VA hospitals and clinics closed...and, once closed, they would never be reopened, just like the military hospitals.

If McCain's promise becomes a reality we would see veterans scrambling from doctor to hospital trying to find someone who would take their "plastic card" on the expectation of low reimbursement and slow reimbursement.

And, if McCain's promise becomes a reality we can expect to see veterans paying to belong to this "VA HMO."

Let us hope that Sen. McCain rethinks his position on veterans' healthcare.  If he doesn't...we can expect a veterans' healthcare disaster of epic proportions.

McCain's quote is in the story below.

For more about privatizing the VA, use the VA Watchdog search engine...click here...
http://www.yourvabenefits.org/sessearch.php?q=privatize+privatizing&op=or

Story here... http://www.mcpherso
nsentinel.com/articles/2008/02/09/news/news4.txt

Story below: 

-------------------------

McCain promises healthcare for every veteran

By Jonathan Shorman
sentinel@sbcglobal.net

WICHITA - Following on the heels of Mike Huckabee, Sen. John McCain stopped at Mid-Continent Airport three hours after Huckabee spoke at Col. Jabara Airport.

Held at the Hawker-Beechcraft hanger, McCain's event was low-key compared to the appearances of other presidential candidates in Kansas.

McCain was introduced by Kansas Senator Sam Brownback, who had been seeking the Republican nomination until dropping out several months ago.

“We've got a real treat today. We've got the gentlemen who's going to be the next president of the United States,” Brownback said.

On Friday, McCain was booed by some at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Some believe McCain is not conservative enough.

Brownback responded to the criticism directly.

“He has stated time and again he will not raise taxes,” Brownback said.

Brownback said McCain was the most qualified candidate since Dwight Eisenhower.

“He doesn't need on-the-job training foreign policy,” Brownback said.

Stepping up to the podium, McCain praised Brownback.

“I'll be proud to have him by my side in any capacity,” McCain said.

McCain clarified that didn't necessarily mean the vice-presidency and spoke of the importance of not electing a Democrat for president.

“We all know what would happen if the wrong party won in November,” McCain said.

Speaking directly to Kansans, McCain said he would open up markets worldwide for aviation to benefit places like Wichita.

On veterans, McCain said he would get them “the healthcare they need and deserve.”

“I'm going to get every one of our veterans a plastic card to take to their doctor or healthcare provider to get the care they need,” McCain said.

McCain touted his stance as a fiscal conservative.

“I will veto any bill that comes across my desk that has an earmark project,” McCain said.

McCain then focused on the war in Iraq and terrorism.

“The challenge of the 21st century is this transcendent - this terrible evil - that's radical Islamic terrorism,” McCain said.

That challenge also includes finding Osama Bin Laden.

“If I have to follow him to the gates of hell, I will get Osama Bin Laden,” McCain said. “Al Qaeda is on the run, but they're not defeated.”

While the country is divided over the war, McCain spoke about the shared support for the troops.

“Thank God none of us are divided in our support of our brave men and women,” McCain said.

Concluding his speech, McCain compared himself to Ronald Reagan.

“My friends, I will inspire another generation of Americans to serve a cause greater than themselves,” McCain said.

-------------------------

posted by Larry Scott
Founder and Editor
VA Watchdog dot Org

Don't forget to read all of today's VA News Flashes (click here)

Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage

email Larry

(go back to VA Watchdog dot Org Home Page)

       
Military Medical Malpractice 
Legal Network               

VA Watchdog Stuff
cups, hats, shirts
click here to
support the site