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
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