| EDITORIAL: SEN. TOM
COBURN AS "DR. NO"
The New York Times: "Sheer embarrassment should drive the
senator into retreat as he trifles with veterans' needs and
burnishes his petty role as Dr. No."
NOTE from Larry Scott, VA
Watchdog dot Org ... Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) is holding up the
veterans' caregiver's bill. Background on this (with
backlinks) is here ...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/09/nf09/nfnov09/nf111609-6.htm
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Editorial
Dr. No and the Wounded Veterans
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/16/opinion/16mon4.html?_r=1
 A creative plan to help wounded
veterans and their exhausted families adapt to the strain of
long-term home care is on the brink of bipartisan approval — but
for the familiar obstructionism of Senator Tom Coburn. This is one
of the most deplorable displays by the lawmaker-physician, an
Oklahoma
Republican who relishes playing the self-styled budget hawk by
putting attention-grabbing holds on crucial legislation.
The urgently needed
legislation consolidates more than a dozen improvements in
veterans’ health care — most notably a new assistance program for
family members who wind up providing lifelong home nursing to
severely disabled veterans. These vital caregivers — who sacrifice
careers and put huge strains on their own mental health — assume
an obligation “that ultimately belongs to the government,” Senator
Daniel Akaka, the bill’s chief sponsor, properly notes.
The measure also expands
benefits for women veterans who suffered sexual trauma on duty,
extends veterans’ care in rural areas, tightens quality control at
V.A. hospitals, and ensures that catastrophically disabled
veterans will not be charged for emergency services in community
hospitals.
The omnibus legislation drew
unanimous committee approval. But Senator Coburn objected to quick
floor passage, demanding that the five-year, $3.7 billion cost be
offset with immediate budget cuts. The senator’s argument rings
hollow in the face of veterans’ suffering and the world of deficit
budgeting brought on by his party’s tax cuts and zealous war
investments.
Now he is demanding balanced
books for wounded vets? Sheer embarrassment should drive the
senator into retreat as he trifles with veterans’ needs and
burnishes his petty role as Dr. No.
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TOPICS:
veterans, veterans' benefits, VA, Department of Veterans' Affairs,
Sen. Tom Coburn, caregiver's legislation |
