McCain: Make combat-disabled top VA priority

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by itsbob

Just imagine how far the budget for the VA would go if 70% of the patients they do take care of weren't abusing the system.

...about what you are saying. If that 70% weren't abusing the system, are they suddenly well? Are they then cured? I'm not in favor of programs being abused, but, unless healthy people are getting benefits they don't need, I can stand this sort of manipulation to some degree.

[HouseCat (Premo)]

Part of the reason McCain has opposed increases in veterans’ spending is his strongly held position against wasteful spending that often leads him to oppose any increase over the executive branch’s budget request.

But we'll put two, lazy, worthless, knocked-up POS up in a new apartment in Lex. Park and only make them pay $125 a month, give them food stamps, and free health care.
http://forums.somd.com/chit-chat/146...8-housing.html

Idiotic. Sad, that decisions are made based on what voters want, versus what voters need....a swift kick in the ass in this case.

I agree with Larry...they should crack down on healthy people abusing the system, but if you take it away, those who really do are going to suffer.

[Pete (Premo)]

Originally Posted by itsbob

Becasue there are already a million veterans abusing the system.

I have no problem with the VA focusing on the combat wounded. They SHOULD be a priority of someone like me. I don't have an issue with that.

The VA is probably the most abused system I've ever seen. I had a neighbor that was in the Army for two years just after WWII.. He died of cancer at the age of 70 something.

He got someone at the VA to deem the cancer 'service related" and got full FREE medical coverage until the day he died. It happens EVERY day in EVERY VA hospital. SOmeone that served 6 months before getting thrown out 30 years ago, pisses and moans at the VA until someone gets tired of hearing about it, and stamps "Service Related" and they get free coverage. NOBODY at the VA cares who gets freee medical care, they really don't have a vested interest who does or doesn't get care, they just know that's one less person they have to hear whine about it.

Personally I retired after 20 years service, and other than my post service evaluation, I've never been in a VA hospital or medical center. The one time I was, I wasn't thrilled with what I saw there. I would bet the majority of what I saw were people mentioned in the above paragraph. They did the minimum amount of time in the service 20, 30 or 40 years ago, and feel they are entitled to free medical care for the rest of their lives.

McCain's right.. ANY combat wounded veteran, from any war/ conflict should be able to jump the line in front of me to get medical care and prescriptions filled...

Just imagine how far the budget for the VA would go if 70% of the patients they do take care of weren't abusing the system.

I totally agree. It was a game for people to go to the VA for their retirement screening and see how much "disability" they would scam. 10% for mysterious hearing loss, 15% for the shoulder that hurts sometimes because they hurt it 15 years ago playing softball, mysterious back pain.

I didn't even go get a screening because there was nothing wrong with me.

The other deal is for the homeless alcoholics who served 30 years ago to claim their alcoholism is service related and show up at the VA after benders or have the cops or ambulance service drop them off for treatment. The VA has turned into a giant scam that is getting abused by those who figure it is a right because they did 3 years during Nam era.

[itsbob (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Larry Gude

...about what you are saying. If that 70% weren't abusing the system, are they suddenly well? Are they then cured? I'm not in favor of programs being abused, but, unless healthy people are getting benefits they don't need, I can stand this sort of manipulation to some degree.

If you served in the Army 20 years ago, for an intial term of enlistmen, and you catch a cold today you shouldn't seek out care at the VA, that wasn't the intent.

THe VA has limited, VERY limited, staff, and even a more limited budget. They can't be expected to provide free medical care to every single veteran that has ever served.

McCain realizes what the reality is, you can't care for EVERYONE, and if you try you can't give quality care to those veterans that TRULY need it. Someone needs to make the hard decisions, and draw the line SOMEWHERE.. as to,"You with the sniffles, or you with the hangover, you don't get care here anymore, you with the one arm or leg from ANY of our past or current wars.. move up to the front of the line, let's see if we can get you a top of the line, at the razors edge of technology, prosthetic to make your life better."

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by itsbob

If you served in the Army 20 years ago, for an intial term of enlistmen, and you catch a cold today you shouldn't seek out care at the VA, that wasn't the intent.

THe VA has limited, VERY limited, staff, and even a more limited budget. They can't be expected to provide free medical care to every single veteran that has ever served.

McCain realizes what the reality is, you can't care for EVERYONE, and if you try you can't give quality care to those veterans that TRULY need it. Someone needs to make the hard decisions, and draw the line SOMEWHERE.. as to,"You with the sniffles, or you with the hangover, you don't get care here anymore, you with the one arm or leg from ANY of our past or current wars.. move up to the front of the line, let's see if we can get you a top of the line, at the razors edge of technology, prosthetic to make your life better."

...with colds, sniffles and hangovers are the problem? The system is that bad? If you are exaggerating, if they can and do ignore minor problems, then there is still the issue of sick people thye are caring for. If you're not exaggerating, then shouldn't the first step be reform that allows people throw out those with hangovers and sniffles?