Jeb Bush's Call for Privatization of Veterans Care, and the Opportunity for Hillary Clinton

[DonViejo]

Jon Soltz
Co-Founder of VoteVets.org, Iraq War Veteran

So it begins. Yesterday Jeb Bush called for the privatization of veterans care while opening up a huge opportunity for Hillary Clinton and others seeking the Democratic nomination.

"This is where I think empowering people with the equivalent of a voucher that gives you the same economic benefit of receiving care inside of a clinic or a hospital," Bush said in Colorado Springs yesterday.

That jibes with a previous statement he made in New Hampshire: "I'm all in on the voucher thing."

The voucher thing. It just inspires so much confidence that he gives a fig about veterans and the level of care they need -- and earned.

I don't claim to be a fortune teller, but just last week on The Huffington Post I predicted that a GOP candidate would make the case for privatization very soon. At that time, while also debunking the efficacy of the policy, I wrote:

more
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-soltz/jeb-bush-calls-for-privat_b_7033524.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

[drray23]

1. what is wrong with him ?

How can he dare suggesting to drop vets like discarded old shoes and give them a voucher for private insurance that will no doubt not be enough.

These people bled for the country ( whether or not I supported the wars they were in -i did not - they are owed the best care when they come back injured ) and now Jeb want to discard them ?

[Mnemosyne]

2. Runs in the Family. A belated welcome to DU, drray23!

[msongs]

3. will she take the 100's of opportunities our current prez chose not to take? nt

[appalachiablue]

4. Jeb really has lost his mind. Wait until Sen. Bernie Sanders talks about this-

[Arcadiasix]

5. This may get him vet votes

I work with a few retired vets none of them like the VA. Several have said they would like to be under Tricare instead of the VA. They want to be able to pick their doctors.

[The River]

7. The VA Saved my Life

Three Times!... 2 cancers, 1 heart attack.
I never hear any complaints (of consequence) from other patients.
I've been a patient at 2 different local hospitals (Richmond Va
and Sacramento Ca). I find them both very efficient and capable.

The VA system is proactive. They don't wait for you to get sick.
Annual or bi-annual checkups are normal...they call you and set the appointments.
Blood work, CAT scans and all age appropriate tests are done.
I can communicate by via secure email network (or phone), order prescriptions
or get appointments online. All medical records can be shared within the VA and
other caregivers if you authorize it.

There is a secret to getting good care from the VA. Know your
rights, know the rules and above all... Speak up!
Tell them what you need. Be persistent (but polite).
Use a patient advocate, if needed, to fix disputes.
Make all scheduled appointments on time!

RE: your vet friends. They can pick their primary care Doc.
If they don't like one, all they have to do is ask for someone different.
My current primary care Dr. is excellent. Being a Hindu from
Sri Lanka made no difference to me. She is board certified, that's
all I care about.

If you are not a vet using the VA system any "opinion" you have, based on
media propaganda or anecdotal stories, is worthless IMO.

The only way to "fix" the VA is to quit making veterans.

[davidpdx]

6. Maybe we should accuse him of favoring Veteran's Death Panels

It would be fitting since that's what his party said about Obamacare.

[UCmeNdc]

8. This is just another attack against all veterans and their economic security

Jeb Bush is looking out for Wall Street and the bankers with this proposal not you lowly vets.

[DonViejo]

9. The author of the article, Jon Soltz, lays the blame directly on the Koch Bros...

for influencing Jebthro to privatize VA care.