To the Editor: Veterans’ program is also socialist
Editor’s note: The following letter is in response to Charles Story’s editorial cartoon from the Dec. 9-15, 2009, issue.
I thought your Story cartoon with the Republican elephant sawing health care reform from the tree was great; however, you missed the most socialistic program of all. It’s the veterans’ health care program. This program owns facilities, hospitals and equipment while also employing doctors, staff and administrators. As well, the administrators negotiate all contracts for services, supplies and prescription drugs. The
birth to death
ownership of all phases makes this the only true Socialist program. I’ve yet to see the Republicans attack this program, which could be privatized.
Layton Hoel
Rockford
From the Dec. 23-29, 2009 issue
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One Comment
A point well made. And as a proponent and active participant in this program, as a disabled veteran, I have yet to see a program that runs as smoothly or is managed as well as the medical system of the Veterans Administration, or any other program that the V.A. runs. They actively query their clients/members as to the effectiveness and satisfaction with their services, and actually listen and make changes when necessary. I could only hope that the rest of my fellow citizens could be so lucky as to fall under such an excellent “socialist” program as the V.A. They’re tops in technology and implementation of that technology, and I don’t see how a health system that follows this “socialist” format could be bad for anyone except the deep pockets of the insurance companies and the recipients of their political endorsements and contributions.
Pete Johnson
FC3/USN/RET