SwiftVets.com

[Jette]

VFW Backs New VA Health Care Program

From the VFW Website:

Washington, D.C., May 7, 2004--The Veterans of Foreign Wars is fullly supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs' Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Service (CARES) program and is calling on Congress to provide the funding needed to modernize the nation's largest health-care system.

"The CARES program is an unprecedented initiative that moves the VA health care system into the 21st century," said VFW National Commander Edward S. Banas Sr., of Voluntown, Conn.

The CARES program is designed to reduce redundancies, close outdated facilities, and build new or consolidate existing medical facilities. The move addresses the health-care needs of rising veterans' population shifts to different parts of the country with new facilities proposed in Las Vegas, Colorado and Orlando, Fla.

The new initiatives are expected to reduce the waiting lists of veterans seeking access to VA health care. In addition, 156 new community-based outpatient clinics are planned in rural areas, which will move health-care options closer to veterans.

According to Banas, the VFW will continue to work with the VA to see that all veterans receive timely and quality health care. In areas where facilities may be closed, the VFW will work with its members, local veterans and the VA to ensure services will not be disrupted.

"The VFW fully understands that the closing or consolidation of some facilities may inconvenience some veterans," he added, "but the VA has offered reassurances that no veteran will be denied or have their health care delayed during the transition. We also realize that more work needs to be done to study mental health and long-term care, especially with the unknown impact of the war on terrorism on our military personnel and their families."

The VFW assists all veterans and their families in obtaining veterans' entitlements and other services. In addition, the organization works for the well being of those serving on active duty, and the National Guard and Reserves. The VFW was founded in 1899. There are 2.6 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries located in approximately 9,000 Posts worldwide.

[JK]

A bolder move is to establish a voucher system so that veterans like any one on medicare can choose their own doctor, medical center, pharmacist, etc. Today veterans still have to wait months for medical care or service compensation exams and often the medical care does not measure up to the care provided in their local community. The VA health care system should have specialized facilities for care that can not be made available elsewhere. Veterans deserve world class medical treatment, not the treatment that is economical or cheap.

JK