Veteran's caregiver legislation passes Senate

post from They gave us a republic... - Front Page on 20 November 2009 09:32:16 AM. © They gave us a republic... - Front Page

On Thursday the Senate unanimously approved legislation that will provide a monthly stipend and medical benefits for family members who stay home to care for severely injured veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Also covered will be travel expenses and training for caregivers, as well as expanded access to services for rural veterans and women.

The legislation, although it received bipartisan support and eventually passed 98-0 had been held up for weeks by Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn, who didn't want to pass it without paying for it by cutting something else. It is expected to cost $4 billion over five years, most of it to pay for the new benefits to caregivers. Here you would do well to remember that Coburn had no such "how will we pay for it?" concerns over getting into the wars that created the need for the bill he held up, but without a moments hesitation voted to wage them on China's dime.

As a physician Coburn knows that it is preferable for family members to deliver care to patients when that is an option. It saves money and represents a better use of scarce resources, while at the same time achieving better outcomes.

His obstruction on this bill was unconscionable, and just because he finally got out of the way is no reason to let him off the hook. He needs to be battered with this on a daily basis from now to election day. He isn't going to lose to a Democrat. Not in Oklahoma. But he can be damaged, and I'll take it.

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheyGaveUsARepublic-FrontPage/~3/S2yWrbxQIks/veter
ans-caregiver-legislation-passes-senate