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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBernie Sanders Makes Republicans Put Up or Shut Up With New Bill To Expand Vets Benefits
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/06/01/bernie-sanders-republicans-put-shut-bill-expand-vets-benefits.htmlBernie Sanders Makes Republicans Put Up or Shut Up With New Bill To Expand Vets Benefits
By: Jason Easley more from Jason Easley
Sunday, June, 1st, 2014, 2:24 pm
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is making Republicans show how much they really care about veterans by introducing a new bill that would expand veterans benefits.
In a statement, Sen. Sanders described what the Restoring Veterans Trust Act of 2014 would do, It would give the VA authority to immediately remove senior executives based on poor job performance while preventing wholesale political firings. It would provide veterans who cant get timely appointments with VA doctors the option of going to community health centers, military hospitals or private doctors. It would authorize VA to lease 27 new health facilities in 18 states. It would authorize emergency funding to hire new doctors, nurses and other providers in order to address system-wide health care provider shortages and to take other steps necessary to ensure timely access to care. To address primary care doctor shortage for the long-term, the bill would authorize the National Health Service Corps to award scholarships to medical school students and to forgive college loans for doctors and nurses who go to work at the VA.
Upgrade VAs antiquated scheduling systems.
Require President Obama to establish a commission on VA health care access and recommend, within 90 days, actions to bolster capacity.
Extend comprehensive services and benefits to the most severely injured pre-9/11 veterans; standardize the process for sending patients to community health centers, military hospitals or other health care providers; and extend from five to 10 years access to VA health care for all recently-separated veterans.
Provide help for veterans who suffered significant spinal cord, reproductive and urinary tract injuries and who now want to have children.
Bolster the VAs ongoing effort to eliminate shrinking but still unacceptable backlogs in processing claims for disability benefits.
Make certain that all veterans get in-state tuition rates for college costs covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Improve the delivery of care and benefits to veterans who experienced sexual trauma while in the military.
Remove the VA from annual budget battles by adopting so-called advance appropriations to protect veterans in case of a government shutdown.
Restore a 1 percent cut in retirement cost-of-living adjustments that Congress enacted for current military service members.
Its put up, or shut up time for Republicans. In February, Senate Republicans blocked a bill to expand veterans benefits because they claimed it was too expensive. Republicans want the VA to have the ability to fire senior executives quickly, and some have called for vets to be able to go into the private health system for care during this current crisis. Sanders legislation gives Republicans what they were asking for.
The legislation also gives Senate Republicans a chance to right the disgraceful wrong of February by voting to authorize the construction of 27 new clinics and facilities. House Republicans are currently pushing a $600 billion tax cut for business, so dont be fooled by Republican cries that the $21 billion veterans bill is too expensive.
Republicans love to wave the flag, and claim that they care about vets. They have a chance to backup their so far empty words with action. If Senate Republicans really do care about our veterans, they will vote yes on the Restoring Veterans Trust Act of 2014.
randys1
(16,286 posts)in fact if you qualify WE will pay YOU
how ???
taxes...
with employment being what it is, we should be begging people to go back to school.
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)No thank you. Seriously, I am 45 years old now and paid off student loans five years ago. What you want all of us to do is STILL be paying college through taxes forever?
Cha
(303,021 posts)sheshe2
(86,184 posts)It's about time they start doing there jobs. Past time.
think
(11,641 posts)cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom
Mr.Bill
(24,606 posts)tax cut or pro-gun amendments to the bill, then blame Democrats for not voting for it.
valerief
(53,235 posts)babylonsister
(171,435 posts)People just might notice that. Bring it on.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Then they'll complain that entitlements are bankrupting the nation.
YOHABLO
(7,358 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Unknown Beatle
(2,685 posts)Repugs don't care what people think of them if they vote no. People will still vote for them no matter what.
AC_Mem
(1,979 posts)I work for the VA, I'm hopeful that this will get much publicity, as much as the media has given to this whole issue.
Annette
who works every single day for our veterans
Wounded Bear
(60,095 posts)Thanks for your work. I've never had a problem with care, or with how I was treated by the actual HC workers.
DeadLetterOffice
(1,352 posts)Beartracks
(13,246 posts)yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)We could use that money that would normally go to Iran on our Veteran's and other Americans. Are we really against keeping money home?
nikto
(3,284 posts)They used to call Gov't "public service".
Bernie is so old-fashioned that way.
Nobody's perfect, but I love the Man.
riqster
(13,986 posts)democrank
(11,230 posts)Bless that man. We`re lucky to have him.
LittleGirl
(8,340 posts)He should run for President.
stage left
(3,009 posts)snakes that they are.
joanbarnes
(1,848 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)which gave Republicans an excuse to not vote for it and burnish their creds with the crazed Obama
hating primary voters.
So what will be the poison pill this time, and will the media break their silence on Republicans incredible hypocrisy this time?
Or will there be another false equivalency for the media to argue and screech about to fill air time?
IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)Uncle Joe
(59,676 posts)Thanks for the thread, babylonsister.
JanT
(229 posts)They will have to do something or face the consequences.