Obama pledges better veterans care

Ron Burgundy · 10-05-2007, 02:30 PM

AP - Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama on Friday pledged better care for America's veterans if elected.

His campaign billed his plan as a way to "ensure that the United States keeps its sacred trust with our nation's veterans when they return home from war."

Obama, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, promised improved medical care and an end to delays of disability claims. He proposed hiring more workers to handle claims, and making veterans' medical records electronic so they can be easily accessed.

"As president, I won't stand for hundreds of thousands of veterans waiting for benefits," he said in remarks prepared for delivery later in the day in Mason City.

On Thursday, Obama began running a new TV ad in Iowa, focusing on his early opposition to the war in Iraq. The ad features an endorsement from former Gen. Merrill "Tony" McPeak, the former chief of staff of the Air force. McPeak, who supported Bob Dole's Republican presidential bid in 1996 and George Bush's in 2000, has been a critic of the war since before the U.S. invaded Iraq.

"Judgment is what we need from our next commander in chief," McPeak says in the 30-second ad. "Barack Obama opposed this war in Iraq from the start, showing insight and courage others did not. And he's our best hope to restore our security and standing in today's world. The old Washington hands have let us down. We need a new leader to lift America."

The ad comes a day after Obama caused a stir by remarking that he no longer wears an American flag lapel pin because it has become a substitute for "true patriotism" since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Campaign manager David Plouffe said the McPeak ad had been scheduled to begin Friday and was not timed to defuse any fallout from Obama's flag pin remarks.

McPeak, speaking to reporters on a teleconference call, dismissed the flag pin issue as "the old gotcha politics."

"The American people are wise enough to understand the difference between petty symbolism and real substance, real courage, real judgment, which is what Barack brings to this ball game," McPeak said.

The Illinois senator outlined his plan for veterans after recent reports showed that the Department of Veterans Affairs has lagged in making improvements to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The government is investigating the hospital due to disclosures of roach-infested conditions and shoddy outpatient care.

Obama said it's not enough to make a speech on Veteran's Day or lay a wreath on Memorial Day.

"When a veteran is denied health care, we are all dishonored," he said. "When 400,000 veterans are stuck on a waiting list for claims, we need a new sense of urgency in this country."

Obama said too many veterans slip through the cracks, and he would institute a zero tolerance policy for veteran homelessness.

"When we've got young veterans of a misguided war in Iraq sleeping on the streets of our cities and towns, we need a change in Washington," he said.

___

On the Net:

Obama '08: http://www.barackobama.com/

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071005/ap_on_el_pr/obama_iowa [link]

kinggovernor · 10-05-2007, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by Ron Burgundy

Obama said too many veterans slip through the cracks, and he would institute a zero tolerance policy for veteran homelessness.
"When we've got young veterans of a misguided war in Iraq sleeping on the streets of our cities and towns, we need a change in Washington," he said.
___
On the Net:
Obama '08: http://www.barackobama.com/
source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071005/ap_on_el_pr/obama_iowa [link]

we do

I have never heard about this

Donkey® · 10-05-2007, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by kinggovernor

we do I have never heard about this

It's not RAMPANT or anything...

Hundreds of Iraq Vets Are Homeless - Newsweek The War in Iraq - MSNBC.com

But it does exist and it is pathetic.

kinggovernor · 10-05-2007, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by Donkey®

It's not RAMPANT or anything...

Hundreds of Iraq Vets Are Homeless - Newsweek The War in Iraq - MSNBC.com

But it does exist and it is pathetic.

I am surprised that it hasn't been featured in any of the veteran mailings I get. I feel bad for these guys, but how does someone come home from a 6-12 month deployment with no money? I came home with over 15k in the bank. Also he could have collected unemployment for 6-12 months, depending on where he lives.

So I am not really sure how it happens, unless they run into drug problems.

Donkey® · 10-05-2007, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by kinggovernor

I am surprised that it hasn't been featured in any of the veteran mailings I get. I feel bad for these guys, but how does someone come home from a 6-12 month deployment with no money? I came home with over 15k in the bank. Also he could have collected unemployment for 6-12 months, depending on where he lives.

So I am not really sure how it happens, unless they run into drug problems.

I mean, are Veterans not subject to homelessness historically?

kinggovernor · 10-05-2007, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by Donkey®

I mean, are Veterans not subject to homelessness historically?

Why are veterans homeless?

In addition to the complex set of factors affecting all homelessness -- extreme shortage of affordable housing, livable income, and access to health care -- a large number of displaced and at-risk veterans live with lingering effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and substance abuse, compounded by a lack of family and social support networks.

A top priority is secure, safe, clean housing that offers a supportive environment which is free of drugs and alcohol.

While "most homeless people are single, unaffiliated men … most housing money in existing federal homelessness programs, in contrast, is devoted to helping homeless families or homeless women with dependant children," according to "Is Homelessness a Housing Problem?" in Understanding Homelessness: New Policy and Research Perspectives, published by Fannie Mae Foundation in 1997.

Doesn’t the Department of Veterans Affairs take care of homeless veterans?

To a certain degree, yes. According to the VA, in the years since it "began responding to the special needs of homeless veterans, its homeless treatment and assistance network has developed into the nation’s largest provider of homeless services, serving more than 100,000 veterans annually."

With an estimated 400,000 veterans homeless at some time during the year, the VA reaches 25% of those in need ... leaving 300,000 veterans who must seek assistance from local government agencies and service organizations in their communities.

Since 1987, VA’s programs for homeless veterans have emphasized collaboration with community service providers to help expand services to more veterans in crisis. This partnership is credited with reducing the number of homeless veterans on any given day by nearly 25% over the last six years. For more information about VA homeless veteran programs, go to www.va.gov/homeless/.

What services do veterans need?

Veterans need a coordinated effort that provides secure housing and nutritional meals; essential physical health care, substance abuse aftercare and mental health counseling; and personal development and empowerment. Veterans also need job assessment, training and placement assistance.

NCHV strongly believes that all programs to assist homeless veterans must focus on helping veterans reach the point where they can obtain and sustain employment.

What seems to work best?

The most effective programs for homeless and at-risk veterans are community-based, nonprofit, "veterans helping veterans" groups. Programs that seem to work best feature transitional housing with the camaraderie of living in structured, substance-free environments with fellow veterans who are succeeding at bettering themselves. Because government money for homeless veterans is currently limited and serves only one in 10 of those in need, it is critical that community groups reach out to help provide the support, resources and opportunities most Americans take for granted: housing, employment and health care.

There are about 250 community-based veteran organizations across the country that have demonstrated impressive success reaching homeless veterans. These groups are most successful when they work in collaboration with federal, state and local government agencies, other homeless providers, and veteran service organizations. Veterans who participate in these programs have a higher chance of becoming tax-paying, productive citizens again.

mental health problems + drug/alcohol abuse ftl