Monterey, CA : Veterans Administration Fix Could Cost Billions
by Richard Kuehn on 07/27/14
View From A Nonprofit Serving Senior
Citizens In Carmel, Carmel Valley, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina,
Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Seaside And Soledad California
The
Veterans Administration continues to be a mess. Unfortunately, the cost of fixing it is
apparently causing Congress to scramble after looking at the cost of fixing
it. The current proposal would allow
veterans to go outside of the VA health care system. However, this would come at a great
cost. The VA's Inspector General has
confirmed that 35 veterans died while waiting for an appointment at the
agency's Phoenix system alone. The
number nationally, when it comes out, could be astronomical. The latest analysis by the Congressional
Budget Office estimates a Senate bill which has already passed would cost $35
billion through 2016 in order to hire new doctors and make it easier for
veterans who are unable to get an appointment quickly to arrange for outside
care. I have served in the military and
for me this is a no brainer. Despite the
high cost, veterans should receive the highest level of care when returning
home from war.
Please note that this blog reflects my personal opinion and may or may not reflect the opinion of Hands to Help Seniors and the individual members comprising the Board of Governors.
