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well, Why should Veterans have to go to a VA facility in order to get their care covered by the government? As long as the money follows the Veteran, there shouldn’t be an issue. This seems like an eminently sensible solution to both reducing waiting times and promoting Veterans’ health care.
The reason why VA exists in the first place is to ensure that the government is upholding its promise to the men and women who serve that if something happens to them in the course of their service, they will be taken care of. How well VA performs that duty is (and ought to be) subject to debate, of course, but the fact is that it’s there to serve that purpose.
The driving objective for policymakers ought to be how to improve the existing system and Veterans' access to it rather than how it might be rebuilt - and no doubt there's room for improvement on both points.
Doctors and hospitals should compete for veterans' businesses, but it is not the case right now.
Nobody is suggesting that the entire VA should be burned down, but elements of the VA system definitely be privatised. Combination of va and private care is the key.
Nope. What they are protesting is the fact that privatization means the out of pocket costs to recipients will undoubtedly be more than most will be able to afford.
I think Trump is proposing that the VA will reimburse them for all costs. This of course means the taxpayers will pay for more government spending.
Why would a private company be willing to take on those expenditures?
"..The other issue with Trump's broad proposal is the price tag. According to the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, Trump's plan to reimburse vets for visits to any doctor they like would cost half a trillion dollars over 10 years..."
The VA is a mess. I'm from a military family, and have first-hand experience here. Wait times for appointments are ridiculous, and when they finally DO happen, the VA manages to screw up paperwork with endless red tape. My dad still has one unresolved issue, and he's been back from Iraq for years now.
Anything that has the potential to help shouldn't be dismissed outright. As it is, my dad already has to have a combination of private and VA insurance. It's way more complicated than 'Trump hates vets' and "Stunning Betrayal". Please.
Can't seem to edit my previous post. Couple of link for you about the VA. Wait times are not getting any better, and there are over a million uninsured vets. Trump's plan may not work. It may be terrible. Then again, it may be an improvement. Heaven knows there's enough room here for things to get better.
Trump met with health care executives Wednesday to discuss the future of VA services, among other medical topics. That meeting included Cleveland Clinic CEO Toby Cosgrove, one of the front-runners for the top VA post.
He is the only one seems to care, these veterans should give him a chance before "protesting".
I FULLY support President Elect Trump on this issue!
It is painfully obvious the OP is not a veteran having never served in the military.
I have a 50% service connected disability, left over from the year I spent in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969, so allow me to give you my thoughts concerning this issue.
I very, very seldom go to the VA opting instead to go to my own doctors because I've always maintained good medical insurance. Even when I paid a deductible (I'm on Medicare now) I would opt to go private because of less red tape, wait and hassle.
Last time I went to the VA was to get a pair of free prescription glasses. That is about it and I really didn't need the glasses but I went just because they were free and stuff.
I think what Trump wants to do is dump the VA system completely (I cheer for this) opting instead to issue disabled veterans a medical card, something akin to a Medicare, so they can choose their own medical service of their choosing oftentimes closer to home.
There is really no reason to have the overly expensive and insanely bloated VA medical system that spends billions and is often abused.
I served 20 months (coming out of Vietnam I got an "early out" with credit for 24 months) and for this I am somehow entitled to free medical care the rest of my life? The only veterans that are entitled to free medical care should be, this is my opinion as a disabled veteran, those with service connected disabilities and there are so few of us why spend the money on a system when a VA Medical Card should take care of the problem?
Oh, and let me add that the OP does not speak for me. He needs to go back to is social justice warrior crowd.
As with those suddenly fearful of losing their health insurance, I guess people really didn't pay attention to Trump's positions during the election.
There certainly isn't any point in veterans protesting this possible move, as Trump will show the same regard for their concerns now as he did for their group before the election, which is to say, none.
Be careful what you wish for folks.
ohh really? - I was too busy watching the new eagles hatch this weekend--
I FULLY support President Elect Trump on this issue!
It is painfully obvious the OP is not a veteran having never served in the military.
I have a 50% service connected disability, left over from the year I spent in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969, so allow me to give you my thoughts concerning this issue.
I very, very seldom go to the VA opting instead to go to my own doctors because I've always maintained good medical insurance. Even when I paid a deductible (I'm on Medicare now) I would opt to go private because of less red tape, wait and hassle.
Last time I went to the VA was to get a pair of free prescription glasses. That is about it and I really didn't need the glasses but I went just because they were free and stuff.
I think what Trump wants to do is dump the VA system completely (I cheer for this) opting instead to issue disabled veterans a medical card, something akin to a Medicare, so they can choose their own medical service of their choosing oftentimes closer to home.
There is really no reason to have the overly expensive and insanely bloated VA medical system that spends billions and is often abused.
I served 20 months (coming out of Vietnam I got an "early out" with credit for 24 months) and for this I am somehow entitled to free medical care the rest of my life? The only veterans that are entitled to free medical care should be, this is my opinion as a disabled veteran, those with service connected disabilities and there are so few of us why spend the money on a system when a VA Medical Card should take care of the problem?
I served 20 months (coming out of Vietnam I got an "early out" with credit for 24 months) and for this I am somehow entitled to free medical care the rest of my life? The only veterans that are entitled to free medical care should be, this is my opinion as a disabled veteran, those with service connected disabilities and there are so few of us why spend the money on a system when a VA Medical Card should take care of the problem?
Part of my problem with this is that for the men and women signing up, these benefits were considered part of their 'pay'. If this should be changed, it needs to start with those who enlist now. We shouldn't change the rules on our vets now. Besides, my dad gave the Navy 26 years and was deployed twice. You shouldn't use your example of time served to determine who is deserving.
Like I said, they should give him a chance before protesting.
I have a feeling that they don't really know what Trump would do. They hear the word "privatizing" and they freak out. No need to.
My understanding is that
1) The veteran will have the choice to remain in the current VA healthcare system or
2) Opt out and go with private care.
It may be that the VA picks up 100% of the healthcare with medical companies that agree to work with the VA system. Since the government is 100% certain to pay their bills I think they may be able to offer services for less versus self pay of insurance companies that often leave many bills to go to collections thereby raising costs. Not saying it would be this way but potentially could. In my opinion I say give it a chance because the current VA system is broken for a large percentage of us veterans and that would give us the option to go elsewhere.
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