McCain Embraces Government-Run Health Care… But Only For Veterans
McCain Embraces Government-Run Health Care… But Only For Veterans
After bitterly deriding so-called government-run health care on the campaign trail, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) today vehemently defended the concept in a speech before the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Convention:
I will make sure that Congress funds the VA health care budget in a sufficient, timely, and predictable manner…I believe the VA should always be there to provide top-quality care for our veterans. And I believe that the VA should continue to provide broad-spectrum health care to eligible veterans, in addition to specialized care in areas such as spinal injuries, prosthetics, and blindness — services in which the VA sets the standard in medical care. [...]
They will not signal privatization of the VA. And they will not replace any scheduled expansion of the VA network — including those facilities designed to serve veterans living in rural and remote areas.
And while McCain’s warm embrace of the popular government health care program may have pleased the VFW — which opposes the senator’s Veterans Health Access Card proposal — his comments likely surprised audiences across America, to whom McCain delivered a different message.
In fact, throughout the campaign and in numerous Town Hall events, McCain has consistently claimed that government involvement in health care sacrifices “the most essential value of American lives– freedom”:
- We’ve got to have incentives for people to make their own decisions about their own health care. Families should be making the decisions and not government. [Town Hall in Denver, 7/7/2008]
- We’ve had hours and hours of discussion on health care, but to sum it up, I want the families to make the choices on health care in America, and not the government. Thank you. [NALEAO Conference, 6/28/2008]
- I offer a genuinely conservative vision for health care reform, which preserves the most essential value of American lives — freedom…In health care, we believe in enhancing the freedom of individuals to receive necessary and desired care. We do not believe in coercion and the use of state power to mandate care, coverage or costs. [Des Moines, 10/11/2007]
Unfortunately, McCain, who has himself benefited from government-funded health services, is trying to have it both ways on health care.
3 Responses to “McCain Embraces Government-Run Health Care… But Only For Veterans”
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Vets need all the help the U.S. can give, but lots of other folks need assistance to have even the most low level care, which currently many cannot afford. Enough McCain, enough of this “freedom” tangent. Stop using fear and buzzword tactics to enforce a “silly” policy. Come up with something rational and reasonable.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:19 pmThe Republicans embrace welfare, bailouts, protectionist trade policies, nation building, judicial activism, etc., etc. but only if it benefits themselves.
John McCain has earned the right to several entitlements including veteran’s health care, disability payments, and social security. I am frankly surprised that he takes these public handouts, forms of welfare, even while flying from house to house in the private jet his wife bought for him.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:25 pmMcPutz collects entitlements(100% disability form the VA if I’m not mistaken & free government health care as a Senator).
Basically, it’s “I’ve got mine, so screw you.”
August 18th, 2008 at 2:14 pm