I liked Richardson's proposal for a 'Heroes Card' soldiers could use at any hospital or any doctor

[bigtree]

The veterans' system is overburdened and these soldiers and veterans shouldn't be denied or delayed care just because the present system is overburdened. They should be allowed to seek care outside the system while we're all waiting for reforms to take place and be reimbursed for it. Not a new proposal, but a smart one, well raised by Gov. Richardson.

[MethuenProgressive]

1. Absolutely!

[Quixote1818]

2. He nailed that one out of the ballpark! nt

[Captain Hilts]

3. EXCELLENT idea!!! nt

[tandot]

4. Recommended! I totally agree. NO soldier or vet should have to wait for

medical care. If the system can't provide adequate care, they should be able to get care outside the system. I just don't understand how those Republicans can say they support the troops. They treat vets like dirt.

[AnOhioan]

5. The same thing could be accomplished by Dennis' ...

Universal Healthcare....unlike the Universal Insurance being promoted by the big three.

[bigtree]

8. This is something which could be accomplished now to meet needs we've already promised

without wading through the overall health care debate.

[AnOhioan]

10. Very true...I will give you that,

[bigtree]

6. Here's a version in Congress which has been active since 2002; still active

H.R. 339, Veterans Outpatient Care Access Act of 2007; ( John Duncan . R-Tenn.)

* Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide needed medical services from sources outside the VA when veterans are informed that the waiting period for such services in a department outpatient clinic will be six months or longer.

[MonkeyFunk]

7. Yep!

It's a great idea, and a political no-brainer.

[Nevernose]

9. Give that card to EVERYBODY

And we have a winner. Universal health care, now, for everyone.

There's also a real financial problem w/ the "hero's card." For it to be financially feasible, it would have to work as a paid insurance plan. That is, there would have to be a network of providers that agreed to only charge x amount for x procedure, otherwise unscrupulous doctors will take advantage. That, by definition, will prevent the card from applying to every doctor.

[durtee librul]

11. geez, details, details details....

Just give them the damn card - they gave their legs, arms and sanity and we can't give them a card?

These sunsabeeches who run 'health care' in this country should be lining up behind Richardson on this one....after all gang, we ALL know here at DU the health care frauds are the true patriots, not us wannabees.....

[Nevernose]

13. OK, then, define "veteran"

No offense to non-wartime veterans, but, in light of the question asked me, maybe we should differentiate between combat veterans and people who served in the military but were never in combat?

Richardson didn't say, "let everyone who was injured in Iraq get a free health care card," he said, "veteran."

I've got two uncles. One spent two years on an Air Force base in North Dakota filing out triplicate paperwork. He got free college, and now makes a boatload of money (or did until he retired (of course, even retired, he still makes more money than me, but I'm just a public school teacher :)). He gest no problem from the VA, when he needs it, although most of his medical care is taken care of through private insurers. My other uncle was wounded in both Korea AND Vietnam, and for him, neither war has ever ended -- he's still fighting to get the medical care and disability benefits he deserves.

Richardson (and I really, REALLY, like Richardson) didn't refer to amputees and psych-needs patients, though, he referred to all veterans. If we're going to go that route, we may as well insure EVERYONE.

It's doable, and the time has come.

[bigtree]

12. the charges couldn't possibly outmatch the ones incurred inside of the present system

I actually think the ability of these folks to choose their own provider would lower costs.

Also, this care is more than promised or deserved; it's already earned by the service of these men and women. They've already paid for it with the sacrifices they make in their commitments.

[Nevernose]

14. Again, I'm not arguin AGAINST veteran's care

So much as I'm arguing FOR universal health care.

As far as the cost of public versus private health care, I think you might be WAY overestimating the cost of the VA per patient versus private care.

Regardless, assurances would still need to be made against the unscrupulous. A veteran's PPO, free to the veteran (they agree to a max fee, but, unlike an HMO, the patient is free to see anybody at will or have any standard medical procedure performed w/o approval), might not be such a bad way to go.

[WinkyDink]

15. Veterans MAY go anywhere they want, as of now. It's the PAYMENT that is the issue.

[bigtree]

20. That's what Richardson was addressing. Giving them a means to pay for the care

if they have to go outside of the system because of backlogs or other shortfalls

[EFerrari]

16. Why should this be limited to veterans?

:shrug:

[bigtree]

17. Why should they be denied services they've been promised in return for their promise to serve?

This is care they've earned with their service. They've already paid for it with their commitment.

[EFerrari]

18. Why do people need to serve in wars of choice to get health care?

[bigtree]

19. they shouldn't, but that is beside the point

These service folks have already been promised this care in exchange for their commitment to serve. I don't think it's fair to go back now and tie that to some future fight for universal coverage. They should get what was promised to them when they enlisted.

[EFerrari]

25. Gotcha. Absolutely. n/t

[Tesha]

21. If we had UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE, this would be moot.

If we had UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE, this would be moot.
Vote for Kucinich, the one candidate calling for
true universal, single-payer health care.

Tesha

[wryter2000]

22. I can tell you one thing...

His health care system has saved a friend of mine from utter financial disaster. If he has a plan, it'll work.

[Az_lefty]

23. Good place to start. Then we can give one to everyone else.

[flamin lib]

24. I've been saying that for years! Anybody who serves in combat

should get a government issued credit card good for medical care at any hospital with any doctor for any condition.

[baldguy]

26. We need universal healthcare.

We can start with vets & children.

[chaska]

27. May I just say, FUCK THIS HERO SHIT! These soldiers....

have no choice but to do what they do. Heroism requires the doing of something that no one else is willing to do, choice is involved.

And what exactly is heroic about killing anyway?

[bigtree]

28. Most don't serve to kill, they enlist as our nation's defenders. Their choice.

They are heroes.