"Betrayal," "dead on arrival," and "unacceptable" are just a few of the objections to Pres. Barack Obama's proposal to shift financing of service injuries from the Veterans' Adminsitration (VA) to private insurers. This proposal, which senior members of congress have widely criticized, includes treatment for service related injuries such as Traumatic Brain Injury, PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression. It also seems incongruent with the testimony of Sec. Erik K. Shinseki at hearings last week about extensive mental health needs and the VA's commitments to "improve access to mental health services through expanded use of community-based mental health centers.
Paul Reickoff, from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America; wrote in the New York Post that the plan:
"This proposal forsakes a sacred promise to our veterans - the promise that we will care for them in return for their service."
Other responses come from:
The American Legion; and Disabled American Vets
