The Don & Sally-Alice Thompson Chapter in Albuquerque pass Resolution to Save Our VA

September 20, 2018

On Thursday September 13, the United Veterans Council of New Mexico passed a resolution against the privatization of the Veterans Administration medical services.

The UVC is a non-profit coalition of more than 30 chartered and federally recognized veterans service organizations and affiliates established in 2007. They strive to provide a forum for the free exchange of information between veterans organizations, state agencies and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The council President is Ken O'Keefe.

The resolution was introduced by the delegate from The Donald & Sally-Alice Thompson Chapter 63 of Veterans For Peace of Albuquerque and was approved without opposition.

RESOLUTION AGAINST PRIVATIZATION OF THE VETERANS ADMINSTRATION

Whereas, the Congressional Budget Office estimated the VA cost for private care would be 10% higher than the payment rates for Medicare and the Physicians for a National Health Program states the medical costs at the VA are 20% lower than Medicare rates, therefore costs for private care might be 30% higher than the same care provided by the VA, and

Whereas, the RAND Corporation's decade of research found that VA provided care is equal to or better quality than private sector care in all forty-seven quality-of-care measurements comparing VA outpatient care with comparable civilian facilities, and

Whereas, the Department of Veterans Affairs is better equipped than most community providers to coordinate complex physical and mental healthcare for combat veterans, and

Whereas, a bipartisan survey by Lake Research and Chesapeake Beach Consulting 80 percent of veterans polled oppose turning VA health care into a system of private sector vouchers inadequate to cover costs;

Therefore Be It Resolved that United Veterans Council of New Mexico...

  1. Supports policies that provide necessary resources to serve veterans by maintaining a robust Federal Government Veterans Health Administration;
  2. Supports policies that would create integrated health care networks for veterans with the Veterans Health Administration, serving as the coordinator and primary provider of care when and where needed as determined by the VA medical staff to ensure timely and convenient access for all enrolled veterans.
  3. Opposes privatization of medical and psychological care for our Veterans.

 

Charles Powell sent in this reflection about the process of getting the resolution passed--which includes a great history of building a relationship with other veteran's organizations in Albuquerque.

"Our relationship and history with the United Veterans Council of New Mexico can not be summed up in a sentence or two.
 
The UVC is a non-profit coalition of more than 30 chartered and federally recognized veterans service organizations and affiliates established in 2007.  The UVC was instrumental in getting the New Mexico Veterans Memorial established in Albuquerque. The memorial is a city facility, managed by the NM Veterans Memorial Foundation Board. In addition to beautiful, well kept, spacious grounds and an amphitheater, the facility has a visitor's center containing meeting rooms, a small library and museum.
 
The United Veterans Council hosts events at the memorial, the major ones are on Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year. There was a period, although our VFP Chapter was a bona fide, dues paying member of the council, when our suggestions for program and speakers and requests to table were flatly rejected. They deemed us "too political." So we were relegated to the sidewalk outside the memorial grounds, where they even tried unsuccessfully to get the police to remove us.
 
Finally, with the help of the NM American Civil Liberties Union, we convinced them that a city entity cannot discriminate for political reasons. Since being compelled to admit us, relations have steadily improved. We attend monthly UVC meetings, our chapter helps maintain the roses on the grounds, and we help staff the visitors center, wearing our VFP t-shirts and caps and flying our flag . In recent years, on Veterans Day at the 11th hour, we have rung the Armistice bell to begin the program. We borrow the big 200 pound Victory Bell on wheels from the University of New Mexico Alumni Lettermen's Association for the purpose.
 
In spite of all that progress, I was not optimistic about the UVC passing the resolution against VA privatization. Their previous response to my bringing up the subject had been lukewarm. At Thursday's meeting, delegates took copies of the resolution as they signed in but the stack of "Save Our VA" bumper stickers went untouched. To make matters even worst, the VFP chapter member, who I expected to second my motion, was unable to attend. The meeting ran longer than usual and I thought of leaving. The guest speaker finally finished and the Council President started to adjourn. I interrupted by raising my hand. When recognized, I made the motion to approve the resolution against the privatization of VA medical services. I feared there would be no second. To my great surprise, almost immediately there was a second and the motion passed without opposition."
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: Save Our VA, Vets in Action, Chapter 63, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Resolution, veterans
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