In this diary a week ago (with more info), I pointed to a post on Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ Congressional Facebook page
One of the top questions I was asked this week during my town halls and meetings was: what are you doing to fix the VA? It's clear to me the VA has lost sight of its mission to put the veteran first. That’s why I released draft legislation called the Caring for Our Heroes in the 21st Century Act. Thank you to Concerned Veterans for America for your support of my draft legislation that increases veterans’ access to health care by giving them the flexibility to go outside of the VA to get the healthcare they need and deserve.
The legislation’s proposed purpose-
“To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the Veterans Accountable Care Organization and to provide veterans access to private health insurance plans, and for other purposes. “
So who is Concerned Veterans for America? From a Mother Jones article in March of this year..
...a Koch-funded activist group called Concerned Veterans for America.
Over at the Washington Monthly, Alicia Mundy reports:
Though the CVA's incorporation papers don't reveal its donors, Wayne Gable, former head of federal affairs for Koch Industries, is listed as a trustee. The group also hired Pete Hegseth as its CEO…a seasoned conservative activist, having been groomed at a series of organizations connected to—and often indirectly funded by—the Koch brothers.
The article I cited in my earlier diary by Tom Philpott Stars and Stripes in 2014 and the Mother Jones article above come to the same conclusion about the CVA activities-
But in my 37 years covering veterans’ issues, I have never seen veteran issues used more cynically or politicized more thoroughly than during the past several years. At times the intent seems to be to shake trust in government generally rather than to address veterans' needs.
IN THE THICK OF THIS IS CONCERNED VETERANS FOR AMERICA, POSING AS A VET ADVOCACY GROUP AND BEING REWARDED FOR IT. CVA PRESS RELEASES USUALLY ARE PARTISAN ATTACKS.
and from Mother Jones-
Everything is going according to plan! First, create a system that enriches private providers and is almost certain to make service worse. Then blame the crappy service on the old, bureaucratic VA and insist that only further privatization can fix it. Rinse and repeat. Eventually your donors are rich and the VA has been dismantled. Victory!
The Paralyzed Veterans of America …
voiced its shock over a bill drafted by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-WA)...that would radically alter the delivery of health care for the most vulnerable American veterans by burdening them with medical costs that they can’t bear, for care that in almost every case, is not the best option.
McMorris Rodgers’ “Caring for Our Heroes in the 21st Century Act” , as her opponent Joe Pakootas has been saying
...would privatize the VA. A majority of Americans don’t want private veteran’s healthcare and would rather see a fully funded and equipped VA system. privatizing healthcare is more expensive to the taxpayer, less effective for the holistic care that veterans require, and puts profits over veterans. my opponent...puts profits over veteran’s care.
Getting McMorris Rodgers out of office should be a top priority for everyone not just the constituents of eastern Washington. We need help and that means support to get Joe’s name out there!
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