Dope of the Week: Veterans are just too stupid to make their own decisions…

James Peake

DOPE: Secretary Peake

Our friend Sue Peterson sent the following note that left us no choice but to immediately issue GraniteGrok’s coveted "Dope of the Week Award"…

Good morning everyone…I would like you to read this AP news report about Secretary James Peake – he is against the VA Hospital in Manchester being a full service hospital and against the Veterans being allowed to go to any medical facility…seems that according to this report, well he is quoted here– just read for yourself:

"After touring the Manchester VA Medical Center, Peake also said he is against giving veterans cards to let them receive treatment at non-VA facilities. "That’s called Yellow-Page medicine," Peake said. "I think that potentially is dangerous, because I’m not sure the individual is necessarily the best consumer. It’s hard to be an educated consumer of health care."

So, you as Veterans cannot make good decisions??? I do hope that we can continue to fight this….Secretary Peake – what is your medical coverage??? As I have said before along with so many of you….our Veterans should have the same coverage as our Senators and Congressman. Please let me know what you think we can do – we have to do something!!!

Even if you set aside the fact that we’re talking about veterans, this mindset that individuals cannot make educated decision about their own health– that some GOVERNMENT agency can do that better– is one that I find both offensive, and dangerous. "Yellow-Page medicine" as opposed to, what? Canadian style? Or maybe Cuban? Yikes!

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John

It’s outrageous that NH is the only state in the whole nation that does not have a full service veterans hospital. Why should elderly veterans need to ride 5-6 hours, wait for treatment, and travel 5-6 hours back to NH for care when they could get it right here in NH?
With all the money wasted in the budget, there is enough to provide Manchester with a full-service veterans hospital for New Hampshire’s veterans. Please stand up for NH’s own veterans and support this issue!
Susan

John – Can we have your contact info – when we get the group together to fight for our Veterans – do you want to join us??? We at home will cover the backs of our Veterans…thank you for your response…
wiskers

Every 5 Months Veteran-W from Freedom, has a check up at the W Roxbury VA Hospital. He has been going for 2 years. Isn’t there someplace closer to where he lives, that he could have a checkup done? He has poor vision to drive, and his wife doesn’t drive at all. He wants to know how to get a ride from Freedom to the Manchester Medical Center then onto the W Roxbury VA Hospital for his check up. 72 miles-2 Hrs to Manchester Medical Center, with no stops. 67 miles-1:20 Hrs to W Roxbury VA Hospital, with no stops. We are looking at 6 Hrs 40 Minutes travel time not including stops or any traffic delays. Let’s not forget about the appointment time delay by 4 Hrs?? Now we are up to 10 Hrs 40 Minutes. Walter didn’t get home until well after midnight. Sure they can hold him over night but it’s not like home, where he would have been if the Manchester Medical Center was a Full Service Veterans Hospital.
Veteran-E from Ossipee also has to go to the W Roxbury VA Hospital for his checkups. Ed’s round trip may be a little shorter, but not by much.
What about the poor Veterans up north in Pittsburg? 172 miles-3½ Hrs to Manchester Medical Center, with no stops. They would be on the road for 3-Days, going to and from the W Roxbury VA Hospital.
“Yellow-Page Medicine” Secretary James Peake, must not have to worry about any referral service that most Doctors are required to provide.