Obama Campaigned Against VA Waiting Times, Care in 2007; Called Long Waiting Times “Dishonorable”
May 19, 2014
Gunny G
Though the Obama Administration is saying that the President is “madder than hell” at extremely long waiting times and that he would take action, Mr. Obama actually campaigned against what is going on now in 2007.
In a speech entitled “A Sacred Trust” that then-Senator Obama gave on August 21, 2007, Mr. Obama slammed lengthy waiting times and the mishandling of VA wait times and health care. At the time, Obama was campaigning to win the Democrat nomination for President.
“To keep our sacred trust,” Mr. Obama explained, “I will improve mental health screening and treatment at all levels: from enlistment, to deployment, to reentry into civilian life. No service-member should be kicked out of the military because they are struggling with untreated PTSD.
“No veteran should have to fill out a 23-page claim to get care,” he continued, “or wait months – even years – to get an appointment at the VA. We need more mental health professionals, more training to recognize signs and to reject the stigma of seeking care.”
He later explained then, that the actions of his administration now are dishonorable: “When a veteran is denied care, we are all dishonored.”
http://gunnyg.wordpress.com/2014/05/19/obama-campaigned-against-va-waiting-times-care-in-2007-called-long-waiting-times-dishonorable/