Sen. Craig’s bill would allow veterans with service connected disabilities to go to the hospital of their choice
March 8, 2007
Media contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9093
(Washington, DC) Expressing strong confidence in the current healthcare system run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Senator Larry Craig said today that he is willing to see how the system might fare in competition with the free market. Under legislation he is introducing – The Veterans Healthcare Empowerment Act – veterans with service connected disabilities will be able to go to any hospital or medical clinic of their choice.
"Many of my colleagues have spent the past week or so accusing VA of ‘failing’ our injured service-members. Most of their evidence is based on reports from the news media who have highlighted recently a number of veterans who were treated badly by VA or who do not have faith in VA’s care. I take these concerns very seriously. But, I am also a little frustrated by it," said Craig.
"That’s why today, I will introduce legislation that says: If you have a service- connected disability, go wherever you want. No strings. No ifs, ands, or buts. Let’s find out where veterans chose to go."
Approximately 2.5 million veterans have service connected disabilities and approximately 1.7 million currently use the VA healthcare system. VA operates 154 hospitals and 881 outpatient clinics. Craig’s healthcare bill would operate somewhat like the G.I. Bill, which allows veterans to choose the college or university of their choice.
"It’s very simple, if service-connected veterans leave in droves, we’ve learned something. But, if veterans overwhelmingly stay, and I think they will, we’ve also learned something," Craig said. "This bill is about my confidence in VA."
The senior senator from Idaho noted that VA’s health care system has consistently been ranked as among the best in the nation. For the seventh year in a row, a study conducted by the VA’s health care system outscored the private sector in the University of Michigan’s Consumer Satisfaction Survey
<LI class=MsoNormal style=COLOR: #000033">VA outscored the private sector by 11 percent in inpatient care (84 to 73 percent) <LI class=MsoNormal style=COLOR: #000033">VA outscored them in outpatient care by 11 percent (82 to 71 percent) <LI class=MsoNormal style=COLOR: #000033">91 percent of VA patients were satisfied with the overall customer service at VA
VA also scored 94 percent in "veterans loyalty" category
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<LI class=MsoNormal style=COLOR: black">
Feel free to send this news to your circle of friends, and/or use in your publication as you see fit. If a friend sent this to and you want to be on the list… send anote to jeff_schrade@vetaff.senate.gov <LI class=MsoNormal style=COLOR: black">Are you receiving both “text” and “picture” versions of these news releases – but only want one version? Let us know. <LI class=MsoNormal style=COLOR: black">If you want “text” versions of releases… send a reply saying “text only please.” <LI class=MsoNormal style=COLOR: black">If you need a higher resolution photo from any of the news releases you receive, contact Jeff Schrade by phone or e-mail…
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Attachment : image001.jpg (0.07 MB)NEWS FROM THE RANKING MEMBER OF THE U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
HISTORIC NEW APPROACH TO VA HEALTHCARE INTRODUCED
Sen. Craig’s bill would allow veterans with service connected disabilities to go to the hospital of their choice
March 8, 2007
Media contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9093
(Washington, DC) Expressing strong confidence in the current healthcare system run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Senator Larry Craig said today that he is willing to see how the system might fare in competition with the free market. Under legislation he is introducing – The Veterans Healthcare Empowerment Act – veterans with service connected disabilities will be able to go to any hospital or medical clinic of their choice.
"Many of my colleagues have spent the past week or so accusing VA of ‘failing’ our injured service-members. Most of their evidence is based on reports from the news media who have highlighted recently a number of veterans who were treated badly by VA or who do not have faith in VA’s care. I take these concerns very seriously. But, I am also a little frustrated by it," said Craig.
"That’s why today, I will introduce legislation that says: If you have a service- connected disability, go wherever you want. No strings. No ifs, ands, or buts. Let’s find out where veterans chose to go."
Approximately 2.5 million veterans have service connected disabilities and approximately 1.7 million currently use the VA healthcare system. VA operates 154 hospitals and 881 outpatient clinics. Craig’s healthcare bill would operate somewhat like the G.I. Bill, which allows veterans to choose the college or university of their choice.
"It’s very simple, if service-connected veterans leave in droves, we’ve learned something. But, if veterans overwhelmingly stay, and I think they will, we’ve also learned something," Craig said. "This bill is about my confidence in VA."
The senior senator from Idaho noted that VA’s health care system has consistently been ranked as among the best in the nation. For the seventh year in a row, a study conducted by the VA’s health care system outscored the private sector in the University of Michigan’s Consumer Satisfaction Survey
####
- <LI class=MsoNormal style=COLOR: black">
Feel free to send this news to your circle of friends, and/or use in your publication as you see fit. If a friend sent this to and you want to be on the list… send a note to jeff_schrade@vetaff.senate.gov <LI class=MsoNormal style=COLOR: black">Are you receiving both “text” and “picture” versions of these news releases – but only want one version? Let us know. <LI class=MsoNormal style=COLOR: black">If you want “text” versions of releases… send a reply saying “text only please.” <LI class=MsoNormal style=COLOR: black">If you need a higher resolution photo from any of the news releases you receive, contact Jeff Schrade by phone or e-mail…Link to comment
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