My editorial on the new faces on the House Vet committee printed today

[w8liftinglady]

Of course,it is being downgraded by readers who,for some reason,have an issue with this. Go figure.

http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2011/01/21/opinion/doc4d39d013f3065993536164.txt

As a new Congress meets, it’s essential we know the new committee leaders. One that is prominent in my mind is U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, the new Veteran Affairs House Chair. This is a critical position as we continue at war in two countries.

There are currently 1.4 million Iraq/Afghanistan veterans, 670,000 Gulf War veterans, 7.2 million Vietnam era veterans and 3.4 million World War II veterans. With each generation comes changing medical needs that are being addressed by the Veterans Administration.

With the appointment of Secretary Shinseki, there have been significant improvements made in the VA system. These changes have focused on improvement in psychiatric/therapeutic treatment, female veteran treatment and multiple wound/amputation adaptations. These types of medical and therapeutic treatment don’t come cheaply, but are a small price to pay to those who served.

“This is a huge government agency and there is a mindset within the agency that is hard to change. But I think we need to focus not only on delivery of services but the cost at which those services are being delivered to the veteran,” said Rep. Miller in a recent interview. Rep. Miller says he is “more focused on helping to increase resources through efficiencies. I think there are ways to solve those problems ... by allowing (veterans) to go fee-for-service within a private hospital system. I think we need to focus not only on delivery of services but the cost at which those services are being delivered to the veteran.”

My question for Rep. Miller: Are you willing to train private facilities to care for those with PTSD, TBI, infectious diseases, GWS and the myriad of other diseases and injuries we are seeing in the four generations of veterans?

Or ... are you going to carry on the time-honored position of honoring a few with contracts “to favor efficiency”... while cutting our veterans’ resources? Only time will tell. We at Veterans For Common Sense will be watching with great interest.

[w8liftinglady]

1. reply by one off the few in my area who share my beliefs

" Thank you Beth for your tireless efforts. What must be asked is what was the cost the soldier paid for his services? Did they think about "efficiencies" when they put their lives on the line? Is money more precious than the blood spilt or injury recieved insuring that Rep.Miller has a safe and healthy life? Paybacks a b**** ,ain't it, Jeffy? Welcome to the "will of the people". LOL. I have to laugh to keep from screaming. Namaste "



time will tell.