IAVA Announces Landmark Veterans Health Care Legislation

[sandnsea]

Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director & Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) announced some “big news” this afternoon. The President signed THE VETERANS HEALTH CARE BUDGET REFORM AND TRANSPARENCY ACT, permanently changing the funding process for VA healthcare.

According to Rieckhoff, the legislation was the IAVA’s number one priority for the year, legislation they’ve been fighting for since January. Rieckhoff says “The new law requires Congress to pass the VA healthcare budget one year in advance. It means no more rationed care for veterans- regardless of what year it is, or what party is in power. Period.”

The President was joined by Senator Johnson of SD who said, the legislation would provide stable funding and allow “VA hospitals and clinics… “more time to budget, to recruit high-quality professionals, and to invest in new health care equipment.” He also reminded everyone that it would also provide funds for “specialized care for our wounded warriors with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries, and the staffing to welcome back to the VA those half-million “Priority 8″ vets.”

Full Text of President's Remarks
http://obama-mamas.com/blog/?p=487

[ThomCat]

1. This is wonderful news!

Such a simple solution to a problem that has been hounding the government for as long as there has been a VA.

I wonder if they will apply this same solution to other urgent programs that face crisis short term funding at times.

[sandnsea]

2. Matthew Shepard Act passed today too

Lots of good stuff happening. Let's hope it lasts long enough to get the public option pased.

[Whisp]

3. yeah, but what has Obama really DONE?

:sarcasm:

I notice 'those' aren't hanging around these threads much, eh?

[ThomCat]

6. FYI

This came from the Armed Services Committee, not the administration. Obama just signed the bill once it reached him. We should be thanking the people in the senate who really pushed this through. It's not like Obama did anything to push for this. But whatever... that takes away from the petty little point you were trying to make, doesn't it. :eyes:

[FlaGranny]

Ignore - duplicate post. n/t

[FlaGranny]

4. I wish that

everyone had access to a healthcare system like the VA. My husband was/is in the VA system and 15 years ago it was head and shoulders above any private care around here. Lab and x-ray results nearly instantaneously available over a fully electronic medical record system, the whereabouts of every patient immediately available, doctor visits and tests usually performed on the same day at the same location. When the doctors decide something needs to be done, they just do it. Nobody to ask permission from. The quality of care is the best.

[sandnsea]

5. I've heard both

I've worked in a few health providers' offices and had problems with every provider out there, including military and VA. I think it's improved quite a bit the last few years, and always kind of depended on which VA hospital people were in. I also think it's kind of odd that you serve 2 years and have the opportunity to get medical for life, which kind of favors men, but women have the babies and have to be ridiculed and humiliated to get health care when they're pregnant.