Army Times Alarm: McCain Suggests Rationing Vets Health Care

Army Times:

Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain appeared Tuesday to suggest rationing of veterans' health care may be needed so combat veterans can receive the care they deserve.

At a town hall meeting in Dover, N.H., McCain talked about the need to "concentrate" veterans' health care on people with injuries that "are a direct result of combat."

"Right now, there are people who drive a long way and they stand in line to stand in line to get an appointment to get an appointment," McCain said.

McCain's campaign press office did not return a telephone call asking for clarification of the remarks.

Read the whole story: Army Times

Comments

[biglover]

Anyone notice how the trolls stay away from adding their two cents in articles like this.

[metalpipe]

They don't dare include veteran's benefits in their usual 'welfare' / 'tax and spend' rants.

The conflict with their blind chant 'Support Our Troops' causes a micro-circuit breakdown in their low functioning personal computers.

Quite humorous, I agree.

[memphispaul]

Troll is just another way of saying Chickenhawk.

[Grunty1]

Most of the trolls can't find articles that aren't the top headline.

[ibsteve2u]

That is just how Republicans think...fund veterans benefits in as miserly a manner as you can - but only for as long as you need them in time of war.

That is why it always perplexes me when veterans' groups support Republicans - I would think that the former would recognize that they are but "entitlement spending" to the latter...

[TheProverbialMan]

Of the billions spent on Military contracts every month, don't you think we could spare...hrm, a few just for the vets that did your dirty work?

Hypocrisy at it's finest.

[Egalitare]

That's just great. Our men and women in uniform have gone to as many as 4 tours of duty and now you want to ration their care based on HOW they got injured? So if you broke your arm building a school in Iraq, you're on your own, eh?

I thought only "armchair generals" came up with crap like that. I cannot wait to send this to my friends posted at Fleet HQ in Norfolk.

[jeffp26]

If we are trying to save money, why not just shoot our wounded, like we do horses?

Boy these republicans are sooooooo compassionate it makes me cry (for our brave youth, who fulfill their patriotic duty, only to be treated like dogs.

[neuron]

This would make an excellent political ad.
Unfortunately for McLurch, it would not be in his favor.

[LynnDee]

"Because they just don't matter" to him!

[KillgoreTrout43]

It seems to be the case.

[KillgoreTrout43]

Does the sleaze ever stop oozing from this creep?? What about veterans with mental health problems??? Just let them suffer and possibly create a hazard for public safety??
The VA is very good about scheduling appointments and giving the more serious cases priority. What incentives will be left for those who might want to join up?? Is this the love and respect the GOP has for our vets?? Combat vets or no? This is so sleazy it makes me want to barf. At a time when we are in a recession, and many, many vets are unemployed, this clown wants to make things even worse for those that served. Combat troops are a small percentage of all those who serve in the military. What about them? They answer the call to duty, whether it is combat duty or some other capacity. Is he trying to lose his own election??? It sure seems that way. Another outrage from the GOP.

[edwarvir]

This guy is sick. This is no longer funny. He loves war but doesn't like the
soliders, and votes against helping them, What's going on.?

[metalpipe]

Come on, it's funny. Admit it. Everytime he opens his mouth, more ammo for Obama comes out. He is like a Democratic dream come true.

[gapanther]

"are a direct result of combat."

Umm, what about the vets electrocuted by their own showers? Does this count?

[ibsteve2u]

Probably not; in the Republican view they are probably just "a cost of doing Business".

After all, if a military member gets crushed loading bombs in a rear area for shipment to the front, in the eye of Bush et al that is a "non-combat" injury and thus that person is pushed down the list for access to veterans' health care...

I really do not understand how Republicans can be so dishonorable and act so shamefully, but they are and they do.

[KillgoreTrout43]

Greed clenches the heart. McCain has totally strangled his own. The man is not mentally stable. But then neither is bush.

[doctorwang]

Good point.

- and how about any accidental deaths that occur during deployment?

[lisakaz2]

No but the GOPers prob feel "lucky" there since those poor soldiers have the "courtesy" to die. They all have the decency of Bob "What, I hit someone?" Novak.

[Colmore]

Isn't it time to stop paying the health care costs for the politicians? Why are taxpayers saddled with this, when most of them are millionaires? Let them find their own healthcare like the rest of us have to, maybe then they would get a glimmer of understanding as to why people are so fed up. Also, their pensions should be from 401K's. Not too many companies can afford to give pensions anymore, why should these people get generous pensions? McCain has hardly worked at his "job" in months. We pay for a doctor and trained medical staff to follow Cheney everywhere. This SOB will live forever!! If McCain makes it into the WH, we are truly screwed. He is not qualified for the job. Not that stopped the last occupant from cheating his way in.

[nerakami]

"...the need to "concentrate" veterans' health care on people with injuries that "are a direct result of combat."...
------------------------------------------------------------------------

and what of the injuries not visible to the eye... like post traumatic stress which is causing alarming rates of suicide among veterans... do we ignore those and hope the problem will go away ???

Can someone please try and explain to me ... an average thinking American, how we can continue to spend BILLIONS on a weekly basis in Iraq and on the other hand want to "ration" the health care treatment to our own citizens, soldiers, veterans...

I simply will never get the workings of these peoples' minds...

[Grunty1]

It is very simple: money in the pocket is good! Anything that does not result in more money in your own pocket is expendable.

[chriss0114]

Yeah, s c r e w the vets!

They're expendable once the damage is done.

NOT!

This has been the Republican thing all along like when vet health care costs soared due to the wars in the ME and W and Repugs cut VA health care.

[JJ30]

I was just about to say this until I read your post.
McCain:L Can you explain "are a direct result of combat."... What exactly is your definition of injuries? Can those who are depressed and suicidle be included in this category?

By your defintiion they're probably not. This campaign is just as disgusting as it is borderline offensive.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

Well the problem will go away eventually when you think that they will all be dead. So yes the problem will go away.

[loax]

All American soldiers and their families should take note of this article. This neocon wants to continue an unjust war, but wants to ration the health benefits for the american soldiers. he sure is willing to put them into battle, but this is a to Hell with attitude for the risk they take. is this really the type of low life you want to be POTUS?

[CtJean]

Sadly, some people do.

[metalpipe]

Did you read the whole article? It gets worse. The major rep group for vets affairs still supports this old fart. It really flies in the face of logic.

[Smirk]

Why is it that the "fiscal conservatives" within the GOP are only fiscally conservative about budget items intended to benefit people?

[chriss0114]

Benefits to NEOCONs

NEOCONs are people too! ;P

[Smirk]

Good point!

[thegreatgiginthesky]

I used to actually think that JM was a decent guy. I've since learned other wise. This guy is no better than the scumbag who currently sits in the WH.

[donttasemebro]

my sentiment exactly.