The Koch Brothers Are About To Make Their Move To Privatize The VA

[applegrove]

BY JASON EASLEY at Politicus USA

https://www.politicususa.com/2018/03/25/koch-brothers-privatize-va.html

"SNIP.........

The Kochs immediately infested the Trump administration, and their fingerprints have been all over much of his executive action and agenda. Republicans have been dreaming about privatizing the VA for decades. Veterans were promised healthcare as part of their reward for serving their country, but the Republican privatization plans cut and cap healthcare services.

It is only a matter of time before Trump fires Shulkin, proclaims the VA to be a failure, and announces a privatization scheme. With Democrats on the cusp of sweeping back into power, the Koch brothers feel the urgency of now.

Get ready to fight because Trump and the Koch brothers are coming for veterans’ healthcare.

.........SNIP"

[dhol82]

1. Why do they want to fuck over the military?

This is their golden road to riches. Why would they want to fuck it up?

[Bluepinky]

8. They dont care about the veterans once they arent able to generate a profit.

Once they are no longer healthy or able to actively participate in a military action, they’re a drain, and the right wing doesn’t want to spend money paying for them.

[Eliot Rosewater]

10. They will admit off camera that veterans are whiny, complaining babies.

that PTSD doesnt really exist, etc.

I have heard them say this.

Never from someone who served, mind you.

[JHB]

14. They have a very specific view of what govenment "should" and "should not" do...

...and the VA is in the "too much" category.

In the end, it's no more complicated than that.

[tiptonic]

18. Care

They were never in the Military. So its just a another 'profit source' to them. Besides, only the poor and stupid people, go in the service.

[Wellstone ruled]

2. They want this sucker done before November.

[chuckstevens]

3. Boycott the military!

No VA; no volunteer army!

[Callmecrazy]

4. Let them privatize it...

I'm a vet and I don't have a problem with it. They'll get blood from a stone before they get a dollar outta me.

[Eliot Rosewater]

11. They have your money already. Privatizing it with your money.

[lunasun]

5. Fuckers

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

6. As a veteran, this concerns me not a little.

The GOP has a long history of saying one thing and doing another when it comes to veterans.

The promise made to service members is, "If you serve, your country will be behind you." The Kochs look at veterans and see a bottomless pit of profits. It's the military-industrial complex that Eisenhower warned of extended to it next logical step.

I am a person, not a commodity.

[BigOleDummy]

7. As a veteran myself...

.... and a V.A healthcare user exclusively I worry about this. The V.A. is anything BUT a failure imho. They have bent over backwards to help me with my health. I have absolutely NO complaints, NONE. I've heard the same horror stories as everyone else I suppose, but I personally have never been treated better both as a person and as a patient. My Doctor LISTENS to me and treats me with respect as does all the rest of the staff. The Veterans Administration is a success story for the government which is why its in the crosshairs of the thugs and pukes of the right. Yes, if there is a problem, fix it but don't change just for the sake of change. If you have a hangnail, you trim it off and file it down, you DON'T amputate your arm for christs sake!

I'm getting sick and tired of all these people who never wore a uniform and who never served a freaking DAY of service telling me and other Veterans what is best for us!

[Clarity2]

12. I hear ya

I know enough disabled vets to know the VA hospitals are a lifesaver. I have a friend whose brother was an alcoholic, that would have never stayed sober if not for a VA hospital program that he jumped back into everytime he felt he’d fall off the wagon. Sorry, but privatizing isnt going to pay for the extraordinary costs of rehab. Theyre not going to be support system for veterans with PTSD.

My uncle is also a vietnam vet and has worked at a VA hospital for decades..the same one my great grandmother worked at. Hes not financially able to retire yet, and a lot of people would lose their jobs, including veterans.

This is an absolute travesty and slap in the face. It is the very LEAST veterans are owed for putting their life on the line, and sometimes coming home absolutely emotionally broken. And then to put a CAP on healthcare? Are you kidding?

[Clarity2]

13. P.S. thank you for your service 🙏 nt

[msongs]

9. could VA be rolled into medicare? nt

[applegrove]

15. Yes. That is why they want to get rid of both. Government run healthcare

is both fairer and more efficient.

[Cryptoad]

16. Anybody ever found any toilet paper or paper towels ,,,,,,,

that are not made by Kock Bro's

[McCamy Taylor]

17. Veterans will not allow it. Theirs will be the next march on DC.

VA provides a service that is tailored to the special needs of veterans. For instance, VA is the only health care system in the country with unlimited mental health services. It has special programs for PTSD and anxiety, problems that combat vets suffer. Where are they going to find that in the civilian sector? Who will understand?

No one wants to take over the VA contract to do what they do for what they spend. Big business just wants to eliminate the worlds second biggest single payer health care program for fear that people may say "If it works for veterans maybe it can work for all of us."

I think the Koch Brothers are taking money from the Medical Industrial Complex, promising that they will dismantle the VA without really having a game plan. Because the Koch Brothers are secretly broke and will promise anyone anything for cash right now.