Veterans Affairs Employees Protest Against Closing of VA Hospitals and Medical Centers
Veterans from all over the country are uniting against the supposed methods of enhancing VA healthcare. The veterans do not agree with the Commission on Care that recommended that the VA hospitals and medical centers should be closed down and the veterans’ health care should be privatized. The people working towards providing VA health care to veterans are also against the ideas laid out by the commission.
Veterans Organizing Huge Rallies
The Veterans Affairs employees are planning to organize several rallies this week to protest against the recommendations of closing down VA healthcare centers. The rallies are organized by the American Federation of Government Employees and they have organized 38 rallies.
The rallies are not restricted to a particular state. They were organized in 19 US states. It is pertinent to add here that the Federation represents more than 230,000 professionals that include VA doctors, psychologists, nurses, benefits specialists and other employees working to offer better heath care to the veterans.
The Commission
The Commission on Care was a group created by the Congress to recommend ways in which the VA health care can be improved. The Commission is about to recommend that the VA health care must be privatized and the VA medical centers and health care centers should be closed. This will leave the veterans no other choice than to get health care at profit hungry hospitals.
It must be mentioned here that the Commission on Care includes four private hospital executives who would profit a lot if the recommendations are implemented. The veteran groups have expressed their opinion on the matter and they have decided that they will be unanimously against any proposal that aims to privatize veterans’ health care.
AFGE’s Stand
David Cox Sr., who formally served as a VA registered nurse for a duration of over 20 years and who currently serves as the AFGE National President confirmed that a vast majority of veterans are against the idea of privatizing VA health care. She stated that it’s time to put people ahead of profits as this is the message offered by VA employees across the nation.
Cox also stated that the veterans must never be reduced to a line item on the budget sheet as they have served the country with distinction and honor. Their medical care should not be dependent on the whims of profiteers and claims adjusters.
