White House Reassures Veterans on Healthcare

[babylonsister]

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=3024

White House Reassures Veterans on Healthcare
by: Richard Smith
Tue Aug 04, 2009 at 11:16:10 AM EDT


I don't want to wade into the debate on universal healthcare. There are plenty of other talking heads, blogs and barber shops you can go to if you are concerned with that discussion. I have my opinions on it, as I'm sure everyone here does, but I don't like to get into debates that don't directly involve Veterans, the military or national security.

Some Veterans' groups are concerned about how the healthcare sausage being made in Congress might effect Veterans' care, specifically as the legislation relates to individual mandates:

Six high-profile veterans groups are raising objections to the House healthcare reform bill, warning House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) that it could jeopardize the care of millions of veterans.
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In a letter to Pelosi that was obtained by The Hill, the groups state "the legislation could limit the health care choices for veterans, increase the cost of health care for veterans, deny coverage to dependent family members of veterans, and threaten the quality of health care offered to veterans through the VA health care system."

The groups that signed the letter are the Disabled American Veterans, Blinded Veterans Association, Vietnam Veterans of America, Jewish War Veterans of the USA, American Veterans (AMVETS) and the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the USA.

The letter notes that the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides medical services to millions of veterans and the quality of care "has risen to amongst the finest health care systems in the nation."
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The groups also want the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to continue running the healthcare system offered through the Department of Veterans Affairs and not be "infringed" upon by any other healthcare organizations or administration departments.

I haven't read any of the bills being circulated through the various committees of both houses of Congress. However, if the language is vague on the topic of Veterans' healthcare, that is a legitimate concern. As a result of the concern of Veterans' group, the White House released a statement on the issue:

The President is committed to ensuring that the Department of Veterans Affairs provides America's veterans the highest-quality health care possible. His budget requests the largest single-year increase in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs in three decades, and significantly expands coverage, extending care to 500,000 more veterans who were previously excluded.

Health reform will only build on the President's commitment to veterans' health care. The VA Healthcare system will continue to be available for all eligible veterans. Also, veterans and their families will have additional choices for high-quality, affordable health care, with consumer protections that prevent insurance companies from denying coverage or setting a limit on the coverage they will provide.

The health reform legislation that the House of Representatives is considering would enable those who are covered by VA care, including dependents of certain veterans enrolled in the CHAMPVA program, to meet the individual responsibility mandate; thereby exempting such veterans and dependants from being assessed penalties. If enacted, the President will ensure that this exemption is implemented aggressively. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs would continue to maintain sole authority over the system and for enhancing the quality and access for all eligible veterans.

Assuming that's how the final legislation looks when it lands on the President's desk, which I have no reason to believe it won't or that the President will sign it if it doesn't, that all sounds good to me.

Veterans' healthcare is one of the most important benefits we receive after separation from military service. The President's commitment to preserving the system while giving Veterans additional options but not penalizing them for choosing to continue their VHA care is exactly what we should be expecting from this Administration. It's always good to see the President standing with Veterans on any issue, especially on one as important as healthcare.

[TexasObserver]

1. Recommend

[Solly Mack]

2. I'll pass this along

[babylonsister]

3. Hey!

Good, inform whomever you can!

And hi, stranger! Long time, no see. :hi:

[Solly Mack]

4. Hi!

Been lurking more lately, with a few drive-by K&R's. Busy time right now.