Posted by Dr. Larry Weiss, Health Care Op Ed Committee chair for Alaska:
http://community.adn.com/adn/node/133805
This was sent to me by a friend, and I reprint it here because I think he has something important and from the heart to say:
As a decorated combat veteran of Vietnam with a service connected disability, I am deeply concerned about the availability of health care for both current and future veterans of our country. I also receive some of my health care at my local Veteran’s Administration Hospital where I volunteer. Unfortunately, the funding necessary to support veterans is still too low. This is the direct result of the unwillingness of the Bush Administration and consistently supported by Sen. John McCain, who has failed to support the necessary increases in veteran’s health care. As a result, we will not have the funds necessary to meet our existing needs let along those of the future if John McCain is elected President.
In his health care plan, Senator Barack Obama would put more funding into health care and make the system more stable and predictable for large and small companies and their employees. In contrast, Sen. McCain would squeeze money out of health care to fund other initiatives and his proposal to shift health insurance purchasing to the individual and away from the company would destabilize the health system and remove companies' direct financial incentives for keeping their employees healthy with preventive services.
Despite Sen. McCain’s exemplary service record and his campaign focus on his experiences as a veteran, he has a long history of voting against any increases in health care funding for veterans starting as early as August 2001 when he voted against an amendment that would have provided $650,000,000 additional funding for veterans health care. This was followed by votes in March 2004, March 2006, April 2006 and May 2007 where he was consistently against any increases in health care funding for veterans.
Senator Obama, on the other hand, believes that every American has the right to health care coverage and has a plan to dramatically redesign our health system across the board to reduce waste, improve efficiency and quality which will drive down cost for families and individuals. Veterans, like all Americans, know that health care costs too much and is not available to everyone who needs it. There are not enough providers, hospital beds and outpatient treatment facilities to treat current veterans let alone those who will be returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. Senator Obama has consistently supported any funding requests for health care for veterans.
Barack Obama’s health plan will modernize the U.S. health care system to contain spiraling health care costs and improve the quality and access to patient care while promoting prevention and public health. The benefits of an Obama health plan will support all veteran’s and Americans.
Rick Shoup, Concord, Massachusetts
Appeared in Concord Monitor on 9/25/08
A s a decorated and disabled combat veteran of Vietnam, I am deeply concerned about the availability of health care for current and future veterans.
The funding necessary to support veterans is inadequate. This is the direct result of the unwillingness of the Bush administration (as consistently supported by Sen. John McCain) to ensure that our veterans receive the care they deserve.
Sen. Barack Obama would put more funding into health care and make the system more stable and predictable. In contrast, McCain would squeeze money out of health care to fund other initiatives, resulting in millions of people losing their employer-sponsored health insurance. Despite McCain's exceptional military record and focus on veterans' status, he has a long history of voting against any increases in health-care funding for veterans, starting as early as August 2001. This was followed by votes in March 2004, March 2006, April 2006 and May 2007 in which he was consistently against any increases in health care funding for veterans. Veterans know that health care costs too much and is not available to everyone who needs it. There are not enough providers, hospital beds and outpatient treatment facilities for current veterans let alone those who will be returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.
Obama has consistently supported funding requests for health care for veterans.
RICK SHOUP
Concord
Posted on Seattle PI and Blue Hampshire blogs: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/forum/boards/viewsearch.asp?boardid=121&term=veterans : http://www.bluehampshire.com/frontPage.do
As Vietnam veterans, we join the millions of members and families of the active military, other veterans and families of veterans who strongly believe that Senator Barack Obama is ready and able to serve as our next president and Commander-in-Chief. He has consistently displayed the character, vision, judgment and temperament required of a president and Commander-in-Chief. Barack Obama also knows that a successful Commander-in-Chief understands that while our military is critically important, it is only one element in a national security strategy that must include diplomacy and regaining America’s moral world leadership, as well as ordering troops into combat. Not only will Barack Obama be an excellent Commander-in-Chief for the best military in the world but he also believes that a sacred trust exists between our government and its warriors and veterans. Never again should our troops be placed in harm’s way based on ill advised strategy, inadequate armor and protection, and insufficient troop strength requiring third and fourth tours. The sacred trust includes a commitment of support to veterans that does not end when we return to civilian life. Americans were shocked to learn of the disgraceful treatment of the wounded returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Barack Obama and Joe Biden will honor service and ensure that ongoing needs and concerns are never forgotten.An Obama-Biden administration will ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) receives full funding so that it can care for all veterans without having to prioritize which of us are treated. VA hospitals will also be held to a higher standard through improved transparency through reporting with the emphasis continuing to be on the quality and effectiveness of the care we receive. Improved communication and data sharing between the Pentagon and the VA will enhance long-term planning and prevent budgetary shortfalls that have consistently plagued us in the past. For those of us frustrated with having to wait for decisions on our benefit claims, an Obama-Biden administration will fix the Veterans’ Benefits Administration (VBA) to improve training and accountability for claims workers to reduce the backlog, make the claims process electronic resulting in a dramatic improvement in service for us. This will help prevent us and our families from falling through the cracks and having to wait for years to access the benefits and care we have earned. A major challenge for us is the significant number of homeless veterans. An Obama-Biden administration will prevent veterans at risk and their families from falling into homelessness by addressing affordable housing and the associated services necessary to keep our veterans off the streets. An expansion in the number of Vet Centers will also go far to ensure that veterans have better access to the services we need and deserve. The Obama-Biden mental health plan, like the medical plan, will improve care for troops from recruitment and active duty to demobilization and transition back into civilian life. It is estimated that up to 20 percent of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome, a debilitating and frightening disease often with tragic consequences. Yet today the planning and treatment for this very real threat is woefully inadequate. The Obama-Biden commitment to veterans will shoulder this sacred trust. Their plan will include better training to reduce the stigma often associated with mental health issues, pre and post-deployment screening and more mental health professionals both embedded with our troops in the field and at the VA. There will also be improved diagnostic techniques and funding for those veterans suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury that has become far too common in the Iraq War. We believe that Barack Obama, as Commander-in-Chief, will lead America to peace through strength. In pursuing this mission Barack Obama knows that for those who stand up for our country in service, now is the time to stand up for them.
Tony Knowles, former Governor of Alaska, served with the 82nd Airborne Division and in Vietnam in 1964-65 with MACV-J2.
Rick Shoup, Ph.D. a healthcare consultant, served with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam in 1967-68 in Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol.
Posted on BlueHamphire Blog, 10/28/08 http://www.bluehampshire.com/frontPage.do
Printed in October2008 Senior Voice, Anchorage, Alaska
