President Obama Fulfills Two Critical Campaign Promises to Vets

[democracy1st]

President Obama Fulfills Two Critical Campaign Promises to Vets
Paul Rieckhoff Exec. Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)

" life beyond the hospital bed is a frustrating mountain of paperwork. The typical soldier is required to file 22 documents with eight different commands -- most of them off-post -- to enter and exit the medical processing world, according to government investigators. Sixteen different information systems are used to process the forms, but few of them can communicate with one another.

The disappearance of necessary forms and records is the most common reason soldiers languish at Walter Reed longer than they should, according to soldiers, family members and staffers. Sometimes the Army has no record that a soldier even served in Iraq. A combat medic who did three tours had to bring in letters and photos of herself in Iraq to show she that had been there, after a clerk couldn't find a record of her service."--The Washington Post

When the Walter Reed scandal broke in February 2007 spurring a massive public outcry, the politicians in Washington said heads would roll. But silently, and more than two years later, our seriously wounded troops continue to fall through the cracks, suffering through redundant tests, misdiagnoses, and delayed treatment all because of lost medical records.

But their saga doesn't end there. When these troops transition from the military to the VA healthcare systems, medical records and military service records regularly get lost in the shuffle, leading to long waits for disability benefits and a drop-off in the quality of care.

Our nation's heroes deserve much more than lost paperwork and endless delays.

Today, we are finally turning the page on this horrific chapter in our nation's history. President Obama has announced an overhaul of military and VA record keeping that will help ease the transition home for our veterans. IAVA was there at the White House for this historic announcement along with every major veterans' group.

This announcement marks the beginning of a new era of collaboration and cooperation between the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. It was encouraging to see Secretary Gates and Secretary Shinseki stand behind President Obama during his speech, as they must work closely to implement this important change.

The Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record Initiative will require DOD and VA administrative and medical records to finally be electronic and transferable. Not only will it help simplify the transition from the DOD to the VA, it will improve care for all veterans, especially the more than 33,000 wounded troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. With this initiative, President Obama is finally bringing the VA and DOD into the 21st century.

Today, the President also reiterated his support for advance funding of VA healthcare. For nineteen of the last twenty-two years the VA budget has been passed late, forcing the largest healthcare provider in the nation to ration care. Imagine trying to plan for next month's bills without knowing your next paycheck. That's what we ask veterans' hospitals to do almost every year. Advance funding will ensure that the quality of care for veterans will no longer be compromised by budget delays. With the strong support of the President and bipartisan leadership in Congress, advance funding can and must move forward this year.

Today, President Obama has taken action on two key campaign promises to America's veterans--and two of IAVA's top legislative priorities for 2009. Advance funding VA healthcare and an overhaul of military and VA recordkeeping will eliminate two of the most significant bureaucratic hurdles that keep veterans from the healthcare and benefits they have earned. Veterans nationwide applaud the Administration for making veterans and their families a priority. And we look forward to continuing to work together on the many other issues facing today's veterans, including psychological injuries, unemployment and homelessness.

Crossposted at www.IAVA.org

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-rieckhoff/president-obama-fulfills_b_185227.html

[avaistheone1]

1. Great. How about Obama stopping the Iraq and Afghanistan wars?

That would be a gift to vets and to all Americans too.

[NavyDavy]

3. man....you guys just won't give him any credit when credit is due...

if he accomplishes something its always "what about this" "what about that".....

[avaistheone1]

7. I said 'great'. However, when you campaign on change and campaign

on the fact that your opponent voted for the war and you didn't - I think it is high time to be pointed out that THIS is Obama's time to end the warS in Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama talked the talk, now is must walk the walk. This economy can not afford an extended excursion into Iraq and an escalation in Afghanistan. It's a bunch of nonsense.

It's time to take off the white gloves, and face the facts of life.

[babylonsister]

8. Obama said we'd be out of Iraq in 16 months

(which is now 18-19) and into Afghanistan throughout the primaries. What didn't you understand about that? That's the talk he talked, and that's how he's walking. :eyes:

[avaistheone1]

12. “You can’t be in and out at the same time,”

And to leave 50,000 observer troops is not a good idea after our so called withdrawal. We need to end the occupation. It has gone on too long.

[vaberella]

13. He also said those remaining 50,000 will be out by the end of 2011.

So you're only giving half the story. O is as tired as we are of this damn war. He's trying to end it but he's doing it slowly to ensure we don't have drama coming out to abruptly and to not hurt him in the long run if runs for Prez. Too early a leave and we have Repubs down our throat. A realistic end to his and we're fine.

I figured everyone would have known that we'll officially be out by end of 2011 so this same old rhetoric could take a break, but I see it's back.

[sandnsea]

10. He didn't campaign on that

So what does it say about you that you choose to pretend he did?

[avaistheone1]

11. What did he campaign about then? Please instruct me.

[sandnsea]

14. Fighting the right war, in Afghanistan

and getting out of Iraq responsibly, in 16 months. Honestly, you didn't pay any attention AT ALL if you don't know that.

[babylonsister]

6. Here's what else the new defense budget is providing, but I'm

sure it just won't be enough. I think the vets are happy... And yes, we ALL want the wars to end.
But you just don't go 'poof' and they're over. Be realistic.


http://ohmygov.com/blogs/general_news/archive/2009/03/08/2010-budget-notes-department-of-veterans-affairs-56-3b.aspx

2010 Budget notes: Department of Veterans Affairs ($56.3B)

Funding Highlights:

* Increases funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs by $25 billion above baseline over the next five years.
* Dramatically increases funding for veterans health care.
* Expands eligibility for veterans health care to over 500,000 veterans by 2013.
* Enhances outreach and services related to mental health care and cognitive injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, with a focus on access for veterans in rural areas.
* Invests in better technology to deliver services and benefits to veterans with the quality and efficiency they deserve.
* Provides greater benefits to veterans who are medically retired from service.
* Combats homelessness by safeguarding vulnerable veterans.
* Facilitates timely implementation of the comprehensive education benefits that veterans earn through their dedicated military service.

Increases funding for the department of veterans Affairs (VA) by $25 Billion Above Baseline Over the Next five years

The President's Budget takes the first step toward increasing funding for VA by $25 billion over the next five years in order to honor our Nation's veterans and expand the services they receive.

Dramatically increases funding for VA health Care

This increase will provide adequate resources to give 5.5 million veteran patients timely and high quality care. This funding also enables VA to create Centers of Excellence and provides additional veteran-oriented specialty care in areas including prosthetics, vision and spinal cord injury, aging, and women's health.

Restores health Care Eligibility for Modest-income veterans

For the first time since January 2003, the President's Budget expands eligibility for VA health care to nondisabled veterans earning modest incomes. This expansion will bring over 500,000 eligible veterans into the VA health care system by 2013 while maintaining high quality and timely care for the lower-income and disabled veterans who currently rely on VA medical care.

Enhances Outreach and Services Related to Mental health Care and Cognitive injuries with a focus on Access for veterans in Rural Areas

Conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury present challenges in caring for veterans of current conflicts. The President's Budget expands the mental health screening and treatment services offered by VA and focuses on reaching veterans in rural areas. VA will increase the number of Vet Centers and mobile health clinics to expand access to mental health screening and treatment in rural areas. In addition, new funding will help veterans and their families stay informed of these resources and encourage them to pursue needed care.

Invests in Better Technology to deliver Services and Benefits to veterans with the Quality and Efficiency They deserve

To transform VA into a 21st Century organization, the President's Budget invests in information technology that directly benefits veterans in the areas of both health care and benefits. Through improved electronic medical records, VA will more efficiently retrieve active duty health records from the Department of Defense and enable all VA care sites to access the records of veterans needing care. VA will also invest in the development of rules-based electronic processes to increase accuracy, consistency, and timeliness in veterans' receipt of benefits.

Provides Greater Benefits for veterans Who Are Medically Retired from Service

For the first time, highly disabled veterans who are medically retired from service will be eligible for concurrent receipt of disability benefits from VA in addition to Department of Defense retirement benefits.

Combats homelessness by Safeguarding vulnerable veterans

The President's Budget expands VA's current services to homeless veterans through a collaborative pilot program with non-profit organizations. This pilot will help maintain stable housing for veterans who are at risk of falling into homelessness while helping VA to continue providing them with supportive services.

Facilitates Timely implementation of the Comprehensive Education Benefits Veterans Earn Through Their dedicated Service

The Budget provides the resources for effective implementation of the post-9/11 GI Bill-providing unprecedented levels of educational support to the men and women who have served our country through active military duty.

[opihimoimoi]

2. K&R

The man is doing it right so far...better than the Bushies.....

[firedupdem]

4. K&R n/t

[sandnsea]

5. Obama's Remarks, Rieckhoff Interview

http://www.obama-mamas.com/blog/?p=206

[democracy1st]

9. ty