Bush's New Vet Plan

**CHUQ** · Agitator Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 3

Any thoughts? IMO, it will be a start but will not be the answer.

WASHINGTON -- Calling the nation's system of caring for wounded troops an antiquated, bureaucratic nightmare, President Bush on Tuesday announced an overhaul intended to streamline procedures and provide new support for families.

The plan would change the way injured military personnel are evaluated and compensated: Those whose injuries prevent them from returning to active duty would be assigned pensions, and responsibility for their care would be quickly shifted from the Pentagon to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

It would also put a new emphasis on the diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Anyone entering a VA hospital for care would be evaluated for the disorder without having to request it.

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**Tumbleweed** · Admin Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 4

Quote:

President Bush on Tuesday announced an overhaul intended to streamline procedures and provide new support for families.

My first thought is why take so long to do something about these issues? It's like he is being shamed to do it, not because he is concerned. IMO.

**CHUQ** · Agitator Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 3

That is an excellent observation. Now ask why the budget is being held up in Congress. They support the troops?

**CHUQ** · Agitator Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 3

Bush has said the "it is urgent". thinking...but it has not been urgent for 5 years, is that about it?

President Bush sent legislation to Congress yesterday to revamp the health-care and disability system for U.S troops wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan by eliminating duplicative bureaucracy and providing more assistance to families dealing with the long-term effects of their injuries.

The proposals are part of a broader effort by the Bush administration to overhaul how wounded service members are treated once they come home from war, a project launched after revelations eight months ago of shoddy conditions and mind-numbing red tape at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Critics have complained that the changes have not come fast enough. Bush said the need for action "is urgent."

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**Tumbleweed** · Admin Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 4

They only reason it's urgent is because his party is in political trouble and this is a PR stunt.

**CHUQ** · Agitator Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 3

Then why is the Congress dragging their feet on the Vet budget? Where's the support?

**Tumbleweed** · Admin Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 4

Vet support is a catch phrase from what I see. It's just a speech footnote and nothing more.

**CHUQ** · Agitator Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 3

I refuse to understand why that these types of things are not used in campaigns. The vets are more likely to vote than some of the others they target.

**Tumbleweed** · Admin Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 4

I have no idea CHUQ. That would seem to be an issue they all jumped on and early. Who knows what makes these idiots tick. Laughing

**CHUQ** · Agitator Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 3

Tumble, I have tried to find some justification for their lack of concern and so far I am drawing a blank. I cannot bring myself to understand why.

**Tumbleweed** · Admin Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 4

I think there are a lot of folks asking the same question. Who knows how these guys think? It doen't make a bit of sense to me.

**CHUQ** · Agitator Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 3

This is not good news, but it ius a prob that Bush created.

SEATTLE - Senator Patty Murray and a group of docotors released a new report Thursday that estimates health care costs for our returning soldiers at $650 billion.

The Physicians for Social Responsibility, an anti-war group, put together the report. One of the researchers is a University of Washington psychiatrist who has worked extensively with injured soldiers.

LINK

**Tumbleweed** · Admin Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 4

Quote:

Senator Patty Murray and a group of docotors released a new report Thursday that estimates health care costs for our returning soldiers at $650 billion.

Wow. That is a scary thought. They must be in pretty bad shape.

**CHUQ** · Agitator Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 3

And Congress still does not have a budget for the VA. Why/ Will Bush veto it for being too expensive? We need to watch this.

**CHUQ** · Agitator Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 3

As they say, now for the rest of the story.

CRAWFORD, Texas -- President Bush said Saturday that Congress' Democratic leaders should celebrate Veterans Day by finally passing a spending bill covering programs for veterans.

"Congressional leaders let the fiscal year end without passing this bill they know our veterans need," Bush said in his weekly radio address. "The time to act is running out. ... The best way members of Congress can give thanks to our veterans is to send me a clean bill that I can sign into law."

Bush's dig at Democrats didn't tell the whole story.

Congress has never delivered to Bush a veterans affairs spending bill by Veterans Day, even when Capitol Hill was run by Republicans. And even veterans' groups have been reluctant to criticize this year's Congress for the delay, because they are thankful for large budget increases already engineered by Democrats since they assumed the majority in January. They added $3.4 billion to the veterans' budget in February and $1.8 billion in May.

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