Sarah Palin's ideas for the VA? I hope it's not true.

2015-03-25T21:56:57-04:00

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/03/watch-sarah-palin-push-a-koch-backed-scheme-to-kill-the-va-and-replace-it-with-vouchers/

Watch Sarah Palin push a Koch-backed scheme to kill the VA and replace it with vouchers

The federal agency has been rocked in recent months by scandals – including the deaths of at least 40 veterans awaiting care at facilities in Arizona — that resulted in a shakeup of its top leadership.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Mar 26 at 2015 12:43 AM

2015-03-26T00:43:08-04:00

She is pushing for a voucher for private care. I seem to remember some other dude recommending that.....hmmm.... The Veterans Choice Card Benefit

In August 2014, President Obama signed into law the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act (VACAA) of 2014, which directed the establishment of a new program to better meet the health care needs of our Nation's Veterans. The law directs the establishment of a Veterans Choice Card benefit that provides a commitment on behalf of this Nation that needed health care services or treatment for Veterans will never again be unreasonably delayed because VA's wait times are too long or if a VA medical facility is too far from a Veteran's home.
http://www.triwest.com/en/veteran-services/the-veterans-choice-card-benefit/

Page Not Found

Since our founding in 1996, TriWest Healthcare Alliance has been On a Mission to Serve America’s military families.

Response by Cpl Tou Lee Yang made Mar 26 at 2015 1:01 AM

2015-03-26T01:01:13-04:00

I wonder if most of you who are for the voucher understands the implications of such system? Who's to say the voucher will cover the full extent of your medical care? And how much will the voucher will be limited to? This is not the only scenario that may come up. There's also the possibility of doctors unwillingness to accept the voucher, not to mention the doctors can raise their fee. Let's see those of you that willingly believe that such system is good for veterans ends up with thousands of dollars in medical cost because your voucher is limited. You won't have a bureaucracy fighting the doctors to lower the bill or questioning how they are charging $100 for 2 tablet of Tylenol.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Mar 26 at 2015 1:15 AM

2015-03-26T01:15:23-04:00

The VA is definitely broken, and providing for private care option is exactly what was done recently with the Veteran's Choice program.

That being said, "vouchers" in GOP speak is a way of saying, lets spend 1/10 of what we do now, in the Government, give the people these vouchers, and let them get it in the open market. So the recipients of the vouchers end up having to pay a huge amount, because the vouchers don't come close to covering the cost.

That might work for the Koch brothers, but it will never work for veterans, especially the ones who are poor, disabled, indigent, etc.

The problem with putting all your eggs in the open market system is that they will get stolen and the little bit you have left is scrambled when you wanted fried. In the GOP vision, there are no controls on the open market, so who benefits? Certainly not the consumers.

An example of this is the grocery store mess where we live. Albertsons and Safeway were allowed to merge. The new company kept the Safeway stores open, because they operate at a higher margin: read more cost to consumers. Then, Haggen, a PacNorwest small grocery chain, who is very expensive, and can't manage their own stores, got VC to buy the closed Albertsons stores. The net result is one less grocery chain, far less competition, and greatly increased prices for groceries in the PacNorwest.

Another example is airlines. With the mergers that have gone on, now there are just DL, UA, AA and SW as national carriers. They are mapping their routes to avoid competition, so prices stay high.

Because of the GOP Congress, no-one is doing anything about this free market free for all. It's great for the CEOs and board members, but the consumer takes it up the...

Is this what we really want for Veteran Health Care? I say a resounding no...

Also, in the report about Palin's raving I find this interesting tidbit: The Koch brothers are funding a group, Concerned Veterans for America, led by Fox News contributor Pete Hegseth that is using the same recent scandals to push for VA privatization.

The Koch brothers are funding a Concerned Veteran's group!!!! The only time those guys ever wore a uniform was if it was for Haloween. And this Hegseth guy was in the ARNG and did one tour or something...

These people are out of control, and we are paying for it....

When you vote next year, keep this in mind. The GOP doesn't have the average citizen's concerns at heart. They have the concerns of the Koch brothers at heart... They are NOT your friend...

Response by SSG Lloyd Becker BSBA-HCM, MBA made Mar 26 at 2015 3:27 AM

2015-03-26T03:27:59-04:00

I read and listened to the article and video. Sarah Palin has it partially right. If a veteran needs care and cannot get it right away, a voucher is the right way to go.

My point is about the scandal and shake-up, is that the entire management of the Veterans' Administration needs to be canned and thrown out the window. I have a few friends who are business consultants and when a company calls on one of these consultants, the entire organizational heads are fired, from the VP down.

But, government is government and they leave incompetents in charge and fire those who are following orders for fear of losing their jobs. We veterans are a convenience to the politicians. Politicians snuggle-up to us when they want our vote, then hammer us every chance they get.

But, I agree with Sarah to the degree of "if" and only IF when a veteran needs care right away.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 3:45 AM

2015-03-26T03:45:42-04:00

I just want what the vets deserve great health care we Earndit

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2015 1:51 PM

2015-03-26T13:51:38-04:00

If there are veterans dying waiting for medical care and the VA cannot make changes that improve the level and speed of care from the VA, then I see no problem with this. I do hope that the VA manages to improve.....but the VA medical system has been little more than terrible for as long as I can remember. Even if a voucher doesn't cover all of my expenses.....partial care is better than the complete lack of care many have been getting. BUT.....don't jump to the conclusion that vouchers won't cover your care before you have evidence that might be the case. There is no evidence that anyone has any intention of not covering every penny of the cost to service veterans. The most popular voucher proposal right now, among politicians, is one that only gives vouchers in a case where the VA is unable to provide care within specified timeframes. On such a small scale, coverage of all medical expenses would not only be feasible, but almost certainly required by law.

Response by Cpl Christopher Bishop made Mar 26 at 2015 2:51 PM

2015-03-26T14:51:21-04:00

Seems to me that the logical flow of that "talky-talk" with her would go something like this:
Palin: Dump the VA and give you Vouchers
Veteran: How can you guarentee this will work?
Palin: Oh, well we will fix it wherever it springs a leak
Veteran: Then you can Fix the VA.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Mar 26 at 2015 2:53 PM

2015-03-26T14:53:16-04:00

my worry with the vouchers is the denial of service cause the voucher doesnt cover this or that.

Response by SSG Leonard Johnson made Mar 26 at 2015 4:46 PM

2015-03-26T16:46:38-04:00

Anything is better than how this administration jacked it up..... I don't think I seen so much hate from the Leftist towards our Veterans including me than 2008..... wow

Response by PFC Stephen Eric Serati made Mar 26 at 2015 8:58 PM

2015-03-26T20:58:47-04:00

I like my VA.Marion Il.No to privatizing and turning it voucher.This is Trojan Horse attempt to privatize.Ive been to Docs outside the VA,and Ive found that Im more comfortable around other Vets.Shes not the only one talking about itThe VA needs a kick in the butt,I agree,but not disbandment

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2015 4:30 AM

2015-03-28T04:30:25-04:00

It can't be any worse than the current system. I've had a claim in with the VA since 2012. It's been nothing but a damn goat rope. My disabled Veteran wife has had nothing but problems as well. Even better, my Grandfather who still has shrapnel in his legs and back from WWII had issues with his claims. His records were destroyed in the St. Louis fire and the VA wanted more "proof" of his combat service.

Response by MSgt Jamie Lyons made Mar 28 at 2015 7:16 AM

2015-03-28T07:16:41-04:00

After reading some of the responses on this article I must admit how quickly it turned into a 'political' debate. I thought we were talking about the VA and the problems associated with. With that in mind I would suggest that ALL employees of the VA should be veterans. Right now only 40% of employees are actually veterans. Most on them on the lower stratum of service. I believe we have enough retirees from all levels in the services thay could form the core management of the VA. I also believe this would help to reduce the high veterans unemployment we currently have. Imagine if all of a sudden we transition the remaining 60% to veterans. I have no doubt we would take care of each other. On the battlefield and at home. Suggestions/thoughts?