McCAIN PROMISE WOULD PRIVATIZE VETERANS HEALTH CARE

-- "I'm going to get every one of our veterans a plastic card to take to their doctor or healthcare provider to get the care they need."

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Presidential Candidate

commentary by Larry Scott

Up to now, Republican and Democratic presidential candidates have steered away from controversy when it comes to veterans' issues.

That all changed when Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) promised healthcare cards to all veterans to use where they wish. McCain said: "I'm going to get every one of our veterans a plastic card to take to their doctor or healthcare provider to get the care they need."

We only have to look at a little bit of history to see where this would go.

Military retirees were told they would get lifetime healthcare at military hospitals. As bases (and the hospitals) were closed, retirees found themselves with a "plastic card" that says TRICARE on it.

So retirees have found themselves stuck in a HMO. Many pay outrageous deductibles and co-pays. And, because TRICARE reimbursement is tied to Medicare reimbursement, many TRICARE card holders have a difficult time finding doctors and hospitals that will accept their "plastic card."

If McCain's promise becomes a reality we would see the doors to VA hospitals and clinics closed...and, once closed, they would never be reopened, just like the military hospitals.

If McCain's promise becomes a reality we would see veterans scrambling from doctor to hospital trying to find someone who would take their "plastic card" on the expectation of low reimbursement and slow reimbursement.

And, if McCain's promise becomes a reality we can expect to see veterans paying to belong to this "VA HMO."

Let us hope that Sen. McCain rethinks his position on veterans' healthcare. If he doesn't...we can expect a veterans' healthcare disaster of epic proportions.