Coburn (R-Okla) blocks wounded veterans' benefits bill [View All]

[theHandpuppet]

And this man calls himself a doctor! :mad: He and Frist the cat torturer are an embarrassment to the profession.

http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_philpott_1109nov09,0,5006098.story

Coburn blocks benefits bill
By Tom Philpott
November 9, 2009

More than a month after a new fiscal year began Oct. 1, the House and Senate are still pressing to pass a group of bills to improve veterans' benefits and health programs, rolling them together in "omnibus" legislative packets.

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Standing athwart those plans this month, however, is Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., a family physician whose top goal as a lawmaker has been to slow the rising tide of debt caused, he says, by colleagues who are willing to pass or spend whatever is necessary to assure their re-election.

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The bill's centerpiece is unprecedented support for family caregivers of severely wounded veterans, those injured since 9/11. They would be paid a stipend based on hours and level of care. VA would ensure caregivers are properly trained and have their own medical coverage to include stress counseling if needed. VA also would pay for replacement caregivers when family members seek respite from their care obligations.

The idea is to give more very severely wounded veterans an option other than institutional care.... MORE