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Coburn Blocks Bill on Veterans' Suicide Prevention

Somerville

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I thought Republicans were all in favour of supporting "our veterans". They certainly were quite vocal in their attacks on the failures of Obama's Veterans Affairs department. Why did Coburn do this - ego?

Coburn Blocks Bill on Veterans' Suicide Prevention

Veterans groups blasted Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn Monday for blocking a bill intended to reduce a suicide epidemic that claims the lives of 22 military veterans every day.

"This is why people hate Washington," said Paul Rieckhoff, CEO and founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, an advocacy group.

Rieckhoff accused Coburn of single-handedly blocking a bill that could save the lives of thousands of veterans.

Coburn, a Republican, is retiring after 10 years in the Senate. In a floor speech Monday night, he defended his actions, saying the bill would not accomplish its stated goal and duplicates programs that already exist.

The Republican-controlled House passed the bill but the rather complex and esoteric rules of the Senate allow a single Senator to derail a popular measure.
 
Coburn, a Republican, is retiring after 10 years in the Senate. In a floor speech Monday night, he defended his actions, saying the bill would not accomplish its stated goal and duplicates programs that already exist.


It seems he answered your question before you asked.

Enjoy

Thom Paine
 
It seems he answered your question before you asked.

Enjoy

Thom Paine

Well, if Coburn says it, it must be true. :roll:

After all, politicians don't lie. :lamo
 
By all means, lets pass bills because of their titles.
 
From the OP article:

The bill would require the Pentagon and Veterans Affairs Department to submit to independent reviews of their suicide prevention programs. It also would establish a website to provide information on mental health services available to veterans, offer financial incentives to psychiatrists who agree to work for the VA and create a pilot program to assist veterans transitioning from active duty to veteran status.

I think it's important for people to consider what this bill would do as emphasized by the section in bold:

* Link transitioning veterans to mental health services and information
* Provided funding incentives to mental health practitioners (so that returning veterans can afford needed care; Remember: The VA is having a difficult time keeping up with mental health treatment of our returning veterans. So, why not allow them to seek care in the private health arena?)
* Assist active duty "combat" veterans w/transitioning back to civilian life

The only folks who aren't for such a bill with these provisions are those who stonewall for political reasons. So, I would ask Sen. Coburn, "What exactly would you like the bill to address along the lines of military service member suicide prevention?"
 
It seems he answered your question before you asked.

Enjoy

Thom Paine

What does the Senator propose stopping the 22 suicides of veterans every day? Isn't Coburn a Doctor?
 
The bill would require the Pentagon and Veterans Affairs Department to submit to independent reviews of their suicide prevention programs. It also would establish a website to provide information on mental health services available to veterans, offer financial incentives to psychiatrists who agree to work for the VA and create a pilot program to assist veterans transitioning from active duty to veteran status.....snip~

One would think that an established website would be providing information on mental health services available to Veterans already.....huh?

Did they get any info on the pilot program in place that assists veterans transitioning from active duty to veteran status? Any type of numbers or feedback?
 
Well, if Coburn says it, it must be true. :roll:

After all, politicians don't lie. :lamo

Generally, his reputation as a straight shooter is sincere and usually accurate; much like the late Wisconsin Dem. Sen. William Proxmire.

Since he's retiring, there is no need for pandering for the sake of pandering.

Also, something we all should pay more attention to is the frequency of different and dis-associated additions to wonderful, cozy, and warm Bill Titles; when it seems those titles are a smoke screen for hiding other purposes.

Jus' thinkin'

G' afternoon T

Thom Paine
 
From the OP article:



I think it's important for people to consider what this bill would do as emphasized by the section in bold:

* Link transitioning veterans to mental health services and information
* Provided funding incentives to mental health practitioners (so that returning veterans can afford needed care; Remember: The VA is having a difficult time keeping up with mental health treatment of our returning veterans. So, why not allow them to seek care in the private health arena?)
* Assist active duty "combat" veterans w/transitioning back to civilian life

The only folks who aren't for such a bill with these provisions are those who stonewall for political reasons. So, I would ask Sen. Coburn, "What exactly would you like the bill to address along the lines of military service member suicide prevention?"

From your emphasis ( bolded items ) it does appear to duplicate existing services.... how many of the same services should we add ? How about improving the ones in existence?

Seem reasonable ?

Thom Paine
 
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What does the Senator propose stopping the 22 suicides of veterans every day? Isn't Coburn a Doctor?

Programs are already in place.... if they do not have satisfactory results yet, why would a duplicate program be better ?

Jus' wondering

Thom Paine
 
Not sure why a new website is necessary, google....its free.

Mental Health Home

Benefits.gov - Mental Health Services

Instead of passing the $22 million bill, Coburn said lawmakers should hold the Department of Veterans Affairs accountable for frequently failing to serve veterans.

Think Coburn actually got this one right. How many VA officials have been fired for the waiting list shenanigans so far?

There are plenty of resources available, would like some evidence that this new website and independent review would actually have some impact on veteran suicides. Frankly, the only thing of consequence in the bill is requiring the VA to do more outreach which is pretty much what is mostly needed to address this problem. The rest of this bill is just fluff.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/5059/text
 
Not sure why a new website is necessary, google....its free.

Mental Health Home

Benefits.gov - Mental Health Services



Think Coburn actually got this one right. How many VA officials have been fired for the waiting list shenanigans so far?

There are plenty of resources available, would like some evidence that this new website and independent review would actually have some impact on veteran suicides. Frankly, the only thing of consequence in the bill is requiring the VA to do more outreach which is pretty much what is mostly needed to address this problem. The rest of this bill is just fluff.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/5059/text



Heya Fishstyx. :2wave: Coburn also stated he was going to filibuster NDAA too.
 
I recently retired and even when I was active duty it took me a month to get in and see a psychiatrist. Anything that can expedite that process is great.
 
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., called the bill a targeted measure that would help ensure that programs to prevent veterans' suicide work as expected.

The bill would require the Pentagon and Veterans Affairs Department to submit to independent reviews of their suicide prevention programs. It also would establish a website to provide information on mental health services available to veterans, offer financial incentives to psychiatrists who agree to work for the VA and create a pilot program to assist veterans transitioning from active duty to veteran status.


We need bills to ensure that the government agencies do their jobs now?
 
From your emphasis ( bolded items ) it does appear to duplicate existing services.... how many of the same services should we add ? How about improving the ones in existence?

Seem reasonable ?

Thom Paine

Fair enough, but if that's the case why doesn't Sen. Colburn identify what those duplicate services are, the agencies that provide identical services and present a new/revised bill that would streamline the process? Seems to me he's quick to claim "duplication of effort" and is satisfied with stopping there instead of going further to "reduce the size of government" or provide the "limited government" he and others claim to stand for.

It's easy to stonewall on legislation; it's difficult to show the courage or the ability to govern.
 
Programs are already in place.... if they do not have satisfactory results yet, why would a duplicate program be better ?

Jus' wondering

Thom Paine
I am not sure I believe Coburn that these programs are duplicates of existing legislation; they may be, on the other hand they may not be. You have to also consider his own party in the House approved of the legislation. He also fancies himself as a bugdet cutter
 
I recently retired and even when I was active duty it took me a month to get in and see a psychiatrist. Anything that can expedite that process is great.

Not sure how a new website or reports to Congress would expedite anything. Problem is the actual VA and how its managed. We're coming up on a year since the VA scandal broke, when they demonstrate they're holding VA personnel accountable and attempting to clean the damn system up, I'll support further expansion. But throwing more money at a system with no accountability nor real incentive to improve doesn't help anyone, least of all....veterans.
 
Not sure why a new website is necessary, google....its free.

Mental Health Home

Benefits.gov - Mental Health Services
According to the bill, the websites would only be those mental health programs the Sec. of VA controls internally or subcontracts. Per Section 3(a) of the bill:

(a) In General.--Using funds made available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to publish the Internet websites of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary shall survey the existing Internet websites and information resources of the Department to publish an Internet website that serves as a centralized source to provide veterans with information regarding all of the mental health care services provided by the Secretary.
(b) Elements.--The Internet website published under subsection (a) shall provide to veterans information regarding all of the mental
health care services available in the Veteran Integrated Service Network that the veteran is seeking such services, including, with
respect to each medical center, Vet Center (as defined in section 1712A of title 38, United States Code), and community-based outpatient center in the Veterans Integrated Service Network--

To that, the two links you've provided would be appropriately monitored and upgraded accordingly on an annual basis.

Think Coburn actually got this one right. How many VA officials have been fired for the waiting list shenanigans so far?

There are plenty of resources available, would like some evidence that this new website and independent review would actually have some impact on veteran suicides.

Again, according to the bill the websites wouldn't necessarily be "new", just the information and/or mental health resources outlined therein would be updated annually not later than Dec 1 beginning in 2015.

Frankly, the only thing of consequence in the bill is requiring the VA to do more outreach which is pretty much what is mostly needed to address this problem.

This I would agree.

Link to bill re-posted FYI....https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/5059/text[/QUOTE]
 
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According to the bill, the websites would only be those mental health programs the Sec. of VA controls internally or subcontracts. Per Section 3(a) of the bill:



To that, the two links you've provided would be appropriately monitored and upgraded accordingly on an annual basis.



Again, according to the bill the websites wouldn't necessarily be "new", just the information and/or mental health resources outlined therein would be updated annually not later than Dec 1 beginning in 2015.



This I would agree.

Link to bill re-posted FYI....https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/5059/text

So you need a bill passed to update a website? For the VA to do outreach for veterans with mental health issues? If so, it further affirms Coburn's position. If this legislation is truly necessary, than the problem isn't opposition to the bill, the problem is the VA. There is nothing in this bill that would actually address the actual problem then either.
 
Fair enough, but if that's the case why doesn't Sen. Colburn identify what those duplicate services are, the agencies that provide identical services and present a new/revised bill that would streamline the process? Seems to me he's quick to claim "duplication of effort" and is satisfied with stopping there instead of going further to "reduce the size of government" or provide the "limited government" he and others claim to stand for.

It's easy to stonewall on legislation; it's difficult to show the courage or the ability to govern.

I can't defend what any politician does not do; Your questioning him not identifying shortcomings may point to an indictment of us, the voters, who should be paying closer attention to our hopefully minimal needs from the Fed gov. i.e maybe we as individuals should know more specifics about many things before we decide a politico voted rightly or wrongly.

It's becoming more apparent that no matter political lean we should each step away from the painting and take in the entire picture before zeroing in on specifics that must be accomplished.

my 2 cents

Thom Paine
 
Fair enough, but if that's the case why doesn't Sen. Colburn identify what those duplicate services are, the agencies that provide identical services and present a new/revised bill that would streamline the process? Seems to me he's quick to claim "duplication of effort" and is satisfied with stopping there instead of going further to "reduce the size of government" or provide the "limited government" he and others claim to stand for.

It's easy to stonewall on legislation; it's difficult to show the courage or the ability to govern.

Do we believe that the people in Washington don't have any idea what the VA and Pentagon don't currently do?

And what he did was because he wanted to reduce the size of government. He's been identifying and fighting against redundancies in government for years. It's because of him the GAO now has to report annually and everyone sees where the redundancies are.

He also objected to the cost of the bill not being offset elsewhere.

If the Pentagon and the VA aren't working efficiently today, perhaps there is a better way to fix them without tossing millions of dollars at them?
 
Not sure how a new website or reports to Congress would expedite anything. Problem is the actual VA and how its managed. We're coming up on a year since the VA scandal broke, when they demonstrate they're holding VA personnel accountable and attempting to clean the damn system up, I'll support further expansion. But throwing more money at a system with no accountability nor real incentive to improve doesn't help anyone, least of all....veterans.

I think that is more for accountability. But what is most important is the bill would fund more psychiatrists working for the VA. That will reduce wait times.
 
I am not sure I believe Coburn that these programs are duplicates of existing legislation; they may be, on the other hand they may not be. You have to also consider his own party in the House approved of the legislation. He also fancies himself as a bugdet cutter

.... see post #20

Have a good day PB

Thom Paine
 
I think that is more for accountability. But what is most important is the bill would fund more psychiatrists working for the VA. That will reduce wait times.

Then they should figure out how much the additional psychiatrists would cost them and appropriate those funds. I doubt that makes up the bulk of the $22 million.

From what I can see, Coburn was right to do what he did. It needs fixing, and this bill wasn't it.
 
I think that is more for accountability. But what is most important is the bill would fund more psychiatrists working for the VA. That will reduce wait times.

It doesn't actually fund more psychiatrists. It funds a student loan payback program for new hires.
 
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