Today on the Ed Show, former Republican congressman Tom Tancredo tried to argue that all veterans are unhappy with their health care under the Veterans Administration as proof of why government-run care doesnt work:
Every veterans group I ever went and talked to complained about the Veterans Administration and the way it was a bureaucratically-run program that didnt serve their needs. They would much rather have vouchers that would let them go out and buy their insurance in a private marketplace.
When the other guest on the program, DailyKos founder Markos Moulitsas, started laughing, Tancredo replied, Youre laughing, but talk to the veterans. They talk to me, and thats why they said. Markos then informed Tancredo that he actually is a veteran, adding, I did not get a deferment because I was too depressed to fight in a war that I supported in Vietnam. Im a veteran, Tom. Tancredo became incensed at Markos, calling his comment stupid and demanding that he apologize. When he didnt, Tancredo stormed off the set. Watch it:
As Markos noted, Tancredo was eligible to serve in Vietnam and was a supporter of the war, but received a deferment after he went for his physical, telling doctors hed been treated for depression. After Tancredo left, Markos went on to say that Republicans are terrified of government programs that work because it threatens the myths they have built up.
Veterans want to privatise the VA ?
And did that Former GOP senator deserve the smack down on national television ?
(Only a veteran could have gotten away with that comment)
Providing vouchers to veterans whom want to opt out (permantly) from the VA would certainly work. Though Medical insurance companies accepting veterans pre-exisiting conditions would be something interesting to see.
It would be a good way to energize the private sector. Slash the military of the extras and provide vouchers. If we want the military or vets to have extras, just give them a voucher to get it from the private sector.
I'd be depressed if I was Tancredo too, so his deferment claim may have been legit.
I'm willing to bet that if we did vouchers for the same dollar amount the VA costs that the veterans would be complaining even more about not getting served at all.
I'm willing to bet that if we did vouchers for the same dollar amount the VA costs that the veterans would be complaining even more about not getting served at all.
Would the vouchers require them to purchase insurance from some kind of heavily-regulated state monopoly HMO? If so, then when the vets complain, it won't be because of the supposed expensive care in the private sector, it'll be because the government has been repressing the private sector.
Would the vouchers require them to purchase insurance from some kind of heavily-regulated state monopoly HMO? If so, then when the vets complain, it won't be because of the supposed expensive care in the private sector, it'll be because the government has been repressing the private sector.
Would the vouchers require them to purchase insurance from some kind of heavily-regulated state monopoly HMO? If so, then when the vets complain, it won't be because of the supposed expensive care in the private sector, it'll be because the government has been repressing the private sector.
My sister's an optometrist who used to take VA patients. She stopped after about a year because the gov't just flat out didn't pay the bills. They even fined her office because her account hadn't been closed in time because THEY didn't pay. She told me that in our city of 100k+ people there's not a single eye clinic that accepts VA patients anymore because of this. It sucks for the vets, but what are the clinics supposed to do?
Gov't run healthcare doesn't have a chance in hell of working, if the gov't run healthcare they already have runs this way.
Would the vouchers require them to purchase insurance from some kind of heavily-regulated state monopoly HMO? If so, then when the vets complain, it won't be because of the supposed expensive care in the private sector, it'll be because the government has been repressing the private sector.
Not at all. The private sector has no interest in doing health care cheaply. It is mostly the private sector driving costs up. It always amazes me how you conservatives just don't understand the profit motive.
A voucher system usually means that you provide services until the voucher is consumed, and then you cut off services. What I've found so strange is how often the people accepting the voucher don't make an honest effort to complete the service before the voucher runs out.
Well, from where I sit, I havent heard many good stories of the VA. Mostly about them being underfunded and unable to meet the current need of veterans. But it is better than nothing I guess.
Veterans want to privatise the VA ?
And did that Former GOP senator deserve the smack down on national television ?
(Only a veteran could have gotten away with that comment)
Providing vouchers to veterans whom want to opt out (permantly) from the VA would certainly work. Though Medical insurance companies accepting veterans pre-exisiting conditions would be something interesting to see.
Wait, are you Tancredo-bashing (which is fun) or are you asking a question?
I would prefer a vouchers system, but I am not passionate about the issue. However, I will say that all of the veterans that I know who deal with the VA have their fair share of complaints about it.
Veterans want to privatise the VA ?
And did that Former GOP senator deserve the smack down on national television ?
(Only a veteran could have gotten away with that comment)
Providing vouchers to veterans whom want to opt out (permantly) from the VA would certainly work. Though Medical insurance companies accepting veterans pre-exisiting conditions would be something interesting to see.
The VA system is bad but not for the reasons cited. The veterans, for the most part, seemed to love the VA health system, when I worked there. They had no inkling that the care they received was substandard, because there were no resources available to perform certain procedures or diagnostic tests in a timely manner. The specialists that patients needed to see were often not available in a timely manner. Yes, the VA is horrendous but veterans had no clue.
The VA system is bad but not for the reasons cited. The veterans, for the most part, seemed to love the VA health system, when I worked there. They had no inkling that the care they received was substandard, because there were no resources available to perform certain procedures or diagnostic tests in a timely manner. The specialists that patients needed to see were often not available in a timely manner. Yes, the VA is horrendous but veterans had no clue.
Well, thats changing if what my buddies out of the military tell me about the VA system is any indicator. That is to say word of the substandard care is getting around.
What does that even mean? Of course a provider of health services isn't going to bleed money in order to satisfy a few customers. Kaiser wouldn't be so Permanente if they didn't have a little cash flow now and then, after all.
The private sector provides competition; there is not only an incentive, but a necessity to keep costs low and provide good service. Most people wouldn't eat at a restaurant that served lousy, overpriced food. I believe it's nearly identical in the case of health insurance.
If it is the private sector that drives up costs, why doesn't the government also retain interests in clothing manufacturing, food processing, and consumer goods production? Imagine how affordable a clothes iron would be without those pesky profiteers in the way, driving up costs, right?
I wouldn't be so naive. When I go to the VA I don't complain about it at all. Nor do other vets that sit in the waiting rooms and whatnot. But then we walk out that door...
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
