Re: Sen. John McCain has picked Alaska Gov. Sarah as his running mate
I agree service connected first. Right now, it doesn't matter how the person got injured or ill, if they are service connected, they get first priority. It's the amount and seriousness of the injury which determines priority.
With combat injuries first, if one vet had a bad scar issue from a combat wound and another was having a heart attack, the scar issue would come first. Also, his definition of combat related injuries is very narrow. For example, my MS from chemical weapons fire would not count. My dad's stepson's head injury from the percussion of a road side bomb wouldn't count.
That privatisation of the VA seems like a good idea, but in a lot of ways, it isn't.
For one thing, in the last two years, the VA has improved it's wait times to where they are actually a lot less than a regular dr's office. In fact, at the women's clinic, I never have to wait at all. I check in and go right back. The only place I have had to wait much is in the primary care clinic. That could be easily solved by hiring more PAs. Also, it would help if VA care were universal for all vets at no charge. So many vets who aren't priority at the VA and don't have other insurance or Medicaid wait until they are really, really ill before going in. Then, they require lots of tests and extentive treatment. Of course, for most things, they have to go to primary care first, before seeing a specialist.
I find my wait times are actually a lot longer at regular dr's offices. I waited and average of 2 or 3 hours to see my OB who forgot who I was even when my name was written on my chart, never took anything I said seriously, and spent 15 minutes with me tops including the time I spent with the nurse. I actually asked the VA if I could have my baby there. I never get less than 1/2 hour with the GYN at the VA. Not his nurse, him personally. And he remembers me and my problems.
The civilian psychologist population just doesn't know how to deal with these military mental health issues. I know this first hand. It takes special training to deal with military related mental health issues which non military/VA providers just don't have.
Combat can cause some pretty grievous injuries - both mentally and physically which are not typical among the civilian population.
The bottom line is veterans need the VA to receive the specialized care they require.
Also, until a person is a veteran, it is difficult to understand, but a vet just needs other vets - combat experienced or not. It's a comfortable place to go and just be yourself and deal with your issues and not be judged by people who are clueless about the whole military experience.
Really, it seems like a lot of money, but the whole VA system including pensions, is only a small drip in the whole government budget. Even if they closed every VA and dropped all benefits to all veterans, it would not solve any of the defict problems. Dumping vets on the already strained SSDI system is no solution either. Heck, that system is not working nearly as well as the VA. I'm supposed to go from a good system to a crappy one? Why would I want that?
I look at it this way: Only 8% of all Americans are veterans. And that number is dropping everyday with the WWII generation dropping off like flies. Since after the Vietnam War, all veterans are volunteers. Eight percent protect 100% of Americans from having to live in conditions like Mexico or Iraq. (Mexico is having a lot of problems with people being kidnapped, tortured and murdered right now.) A hundred percent can dang well take care of the 8% who have protected them so well and so long.
One more thing and I'll get off my soapbox.
Only veterans with honorable or general under honorable discharges can be served at the VA. I'm not sure what happens to the rest. I think some of the lesser offenders get some benefits. When you think about all the vets out there who did not get a general under honorable and above... well, that reduces the number even more who can be seen at the VA. Do I think people with bad conduct, etc discharges should be seen at the VA. Well, I'm torn on that one. There has to be some rewards for doing your job well and keeping your nose clean.
I love VH, too! It's the first time a president or vp is from my generation.
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That is not right!
was dishonorably discharged from the military, and he does not get VA benefits. I agree with Abby. If you get fired, you get fired, and you get no benefits. It should be the same with a dishonorable discharge.
