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SEN. LARRY CRAIG MOVES TO DISMANTLE VA HEALTHCARE

SYSTEM -- Wants to offer private healthcare to

service-connected veterans.

 

Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID), Ranking Minority Member,
Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs

 

I can think of only one explanation for this:  Craig is off his meds.

Actually, there's a much simpler reason:  This is just the next step in dismantling the VA healthcare system.

I wrote about this in 2005.  That article here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/dismantlingva.htm

Now...here's why this won't work.

The VA offers the best healthcare in the country at the best price to the government.  VA spends about 20% less to treat a patient than private healthcare providers.  This is because of increased efficiency due mainly to a total electronic records system.  So, why would the government want to spend 25% (the inverse) more.  It makes no sense.

And, a wrinkle in this is that the government would, at some time in the future, tie VA reimbursement to doctors and hospitals to TRICARE fees.  TRICARE is now having a terrible time finding healthcare providers to sign on because of their fee structure.  This would especially hurt rural veterans.

Also...what does a private healthcare provider know about veterans' healthcare issues?  Would a veteran trust a "civilian" doctor to know how to treat traumatic brain injury, prosthetics issues, combat-related PTSD, Agent Orange illnesses, Gulf War illnesses, radiation exposure and a host of other service-connected conditions?  I think not!

What about records?  Private-sector healthcare providers don't have the electronic records that the VA has.  Imagine trying to get the VA to print out your entire record so you could take it to a private physician.  Then, imagine that doctor trying to go through umpteen pages figuring out your care.  And, if you went back to the VA, imagine how long it would take to get your private doctor's records entered into the VA's electronic system.

This is a nightmare!

And, it is NOT about choice...it's about dismantling a superb healthcare system.

It sure seems that if there is money to be made in the private sector our government will try to find a way to shirk their responsibilities so someone can make a profit.

If this passes and even a small number of vets bug-out of the VA, they will close more hospitals and clinics, leaving other vets high-and-dry.

We don't need a smaller, weaker VA...we need a strong, properly-funded VA healthcare system.

Craig press release here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/scva07/scva030807-1.htm

Press release below:

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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

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 choose 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

* VA outscored the private sector by 11 percent in inpatient care (84 to 73 percent)
* VA outscored them in outpatient care by 11 percent (82 to 71 percent)
* 91 percent of VA patients were satisfied with the overall customer service at VA
* VA also scored 94 percent in "veterans loyalty" category

Other national publications have also touted VA’s healthcare system. Last year Time Magazine had a front page article titled "How VA Hospitals Became the best Health Care?" and Business Week called VA healtcare"The Best Medical Care In The U.S." More recently Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government awarded VA it’s "Innovations in American Government award" for VA's electronic health record and performance system.

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Larry Scott  --