New Va Hospital Bill By Senator Craig

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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: #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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[Testvet]

BS this is about the agenda to privatize the VA health system once the vets start going to private care doctors and hospitals and the VA has to compensate them, the move will be to shut down VA facilities, they can't afford both programs and we all know it, I think fully funding the VA system and requiring them to keep their staff positions filled would be the better solution, so all veterans can receive the care they are entitled to, Craig doesn't care about veterans and he has proved it in the past with his unemployed comments about the TDIU vets, he assumes they are just to lazy to work and won't find work, so to assume he is doing this for us the vets I am sorry to me it's more BS, he's not doing us any favors

[john999]

I have a feeling Craige just wants to funnel money from the VA to special interests that would kick something back to him and his cronies. This is repubican M.O.

[Chuck75]

I believe that the veteran should have the choice. It might be appropriate to place limits, such as mileage to an appropriate VAMC in order to support the existing facilities. If the VAMC cannot/willnot provide the care needed, in the view of the veteran, the veteran should be able to obtain proper care.

Health insurance. If the veteran is using other than the VA to obtain needed medical services, it should be that he/she has the prepaid equivilent of federal civil service medical coverage at the least.

[Yong]

What doctors will see the vets ?

I am currently retired and unemployee. My only health insurance is Tricare Prime. My family and I are having hard time being seen by a good doctor or a specialist. I learned that over 90% of doctors here will not accept Tricare. I have to call around to find a doctor that would accept Tricare. Also, if you see a civilian doctor vs VA, you will end up with co-payment. At first, it did not seem much. However, when you have DDD, your wife has perminent Rheumatoid Arteritist, and your children get sick, the co-payment is not to be look at lightly.

So, I don't think there is a good solution to the problem.

Yong

[Pete53]

Yong:

Have you talked to a good Social Worker about your situation? I am sure that you should get help with your copays. I am not sure what DDD is but have you filed a claim with VA and Social Security?

[Yong]

Pete,

I have Lumbar Degenerative Disc Diseases.

I have filed my claims in Nov 2006. I am retired as Jan 07.

While in service, my wife had save enough money to survive 12 months without me working and we have house that we put 50% down Federal Way, WA. Also, I have retirement pay from the Army. So, I do not qualify for SSD, unemployment, or any other help. I am just waiting for the VA claim. May be with the disability, I could learn a new skill so that it won't hert my body. I work 4 years as cannon crew member and 16 years as heavy wheel mechanic in the Army.

As I read on this board, it seems very hard to get SC disability rated by VA.

Currenty, my claim is in for:

Lower back problem

Bilateral Shoulder

Bilateral Knee

Bilateral Ankle

R Wrist

R thumb

Bilateral Titinus

Yong