SwiftVets.com

[JK]

During the election it was reported that 1.7 million veterans have no health insurance and are often denied access to VA health care because VA medical facilities often do not have the capacity to accept more veterans and thus ration care using a priority system.

I am interested in establishing an organization that will address the issue of no health insurance for veterans. I believe that Congress should appropriate more money so that a "voucher" system be established to alllow these 1.7 million veterans and others using the current system have a "choice" to accept the insurance option (similar to Medicare) and go to private health providers.

If you have an interest in helping with this effort or offering suggestions please post your response or send an email.

I believe that the SBVT mission to inform the public about John Kerry has opened up many other issues affecting veterans such as access to medical care.

JK

[shawa]

I agree that the VA medical system is a disgrace.
That's government run health care for you. RATIONING!

The Congress has an excellent health care plan for themselves
and other government workers.

Our Veterans deserve the best. They have served this country
and its government far more than the Congress or anyone else.

Why can't the VA buy into the same plan that the Congress has??

[blue9t3]

Do you mean that as VN vets we have access to health care/ins.?, I thought it was only for retired lifers?
_________________
MOPAR-BUYER

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

It used to be that only retired military and those with service-connected disabilities were entitled to treatment at VA facilities.

Clinton attempted to open up the use of VA hospitals and clinics to all veterans, regardless of how long they served or whether their afflictions were service-connected or not.

Personally, I don't think that someone like me, one tour and no SCD should ever have been allowed into the VA system - it would take resources from those who WERE wounded or otherwise inflicted with damage as a result of their service. Likewise, if I had suffered tinnitus or a 10% hearing loss as a result of my service, why should I be eligible to get free health care through the VA for gallstones or heel spurs?

But it's tough to get the genie back into the bottle and the VA has struggled valiantly with the mission with which it has been saddled. As with the rest of Clinton's military - ever-increased tasking and inadequate support - it has proven nearly impossible to keep up with the extra tasking.

Under GWB, the VA received more funding than it's ever gotten in the past - it went up 41% in his first three years.

And it could be doing exactly what it was intended to do - providing health care for the retired and for those with SCD's - and doing it magnificently, if we restricted it to those.

How many people are getting free VA care even though they never served at all, or based on some nebulous or unsubstantiated claim?

Weed out the frauds, reduce eligibility to those who are truly entitled and I think you'll see the quality of care go up exponentially.

I do hear some horror stories about VA facilities, but the overwhelming majority of people who I know of that have had dealings with the VA have been positive, especially in the last couple of years.
_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother

[Guest]

[shooter]

Very well stated 3xNavy......

The VA has improved a 1000 fold over what it was at the end of the Vienam War. Keep in mind, they means test for the deductable unless you are SCD over a certain percentage. Oh, yeah, and don't miss any appointments either!! There are too many waiting for the appointments not to be taken seriously.
_________________
ADC USN Ret.

For those that fought for it, Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know !!

Harley Davidson - If you have to ask, you don't understand !

Gun Control = Double tap - center mass

[wednesdaychild]

I do not understnd the VA system I guess ,b/c i assmued anyone who was honorably discharged shoud be able to use VA if needed.
_________________
"...for the good of believing in life after birth..."
Jim Steinman

[stylin19]

[LewWaters]

Not being argumentative, but just received this in email from Military.com.