HB 1202: Care for Veterans Act (Passed)

[Associate Justice PiT]

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People's Regional Senate
Passed 4-0-2 in the Atlasian Senate assembled

[/quote]

Sponsor: NC Yankee

     I hereby open the floor for debate.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I move to assume sponsorship.


First thing that has to be done, is Section 2 has to be completely reworded. This bill seems to not take into account The Reforming and Regionalizing Public Healthcare Act of 2017.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Representatives have 24 hours to object to Representative Yankee assuming sponsorship.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     With no objections, Representative Yankee is now the sponsor. I ask the Representative to make a post arguing on behalf of the bill.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

This is good bill that was brought up in the Senate, but push forward without consideration of the recommendations, concerns raised by myself, Secretary of State Mr. R, and others concerning the integration of the terms of this bill with that of the present reality that is the passage of the Reforming and Regionalizing Public Healthcare Act and recent actions by the Secretary.

I know that the administration is very interested in progress on this topic generally and also with regards to this bill, so I am hopeful that the necessary corrections can be made so that this bill is not only passed but works and thereby provides the necessary and desired help to Veterans.

[Bidenworth2020]

I like.

[RC (a la Frémont)]

I like.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Are there any more comments? I can bring this to a final vote in 24 hours, but in general I would prefer more substantive debate.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

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People's Regional Senate
Passed 4-0-2 in the Atlasian Senate assembled
[/quote]

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

So in this canon, the Departments of State, Defense, and Veteran's Affars are merged.

Included below are a few directives I recently made at veterans affairs. Relatedly, Directive 5 requires all VHA facilities to have a ptsd program.

This bill expands the number of veterans eligible to receive ptsd treatment. I have no objection and as long as the money is appropriated there should be no real problems in implementing the law.

In accordance with Reforming and Regionalizing Public Healthcare Act of 2017, I am issuing the following Departmental directives.

1.) The Secretary of State was tasked by statute to analyze the current VA system in light of Atlascare and make efficiency and cost saving recommendations. As all current and former veterans are eligible for federal Atlascare participation, the Veteran’s Health Administration in the sub-department of Veterans Affairs has largely become redundant. Pretty much all hospitals participate in the federal Atlascare program. It seems unnecessary for the VA to own and operate the number of hospitals in our current portfolio, when there are adequate private market substitutes.. Requiring veterans to seek care at only VA facilities is what led to the recent rationing scandal. As all Veterans are enrolled in federal Atlascare, they now have access to a much deeper medical provider network, which should result in our Veterans having more choice and flexibility in seeking treatment, as well as preventing future rationing.

 Therefore, I hereby recommend that all VA medical facilities become independent chartered non-profit hospitals or clinics, with the following 43 exceptions:

The Regional flagship hospitals in: Bedford, MA;  Albany, NY; the Bronx, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; Linthicum, MD; Durham, NC; Duluth, GA; St. Petersburg, FL; Nashville, TN; Cincinnati, OH; Ann Arbor, MI; Hines, IL; Kansas City, MO; Ridgeland, MS; Arlington, TX; Mesa, AZ; Glendale, CO; Vancouver, WA; Mare Island, CA; Long Beach, CA; Minneapolis, MN; and Lincoln, NE.

The Amputee treatment centers located in: Denver, CO; Palo Alto, CA; Richmond, VA; Seattle, WA; and Tampa, FL.

The Washington D.C. Veterans Center.

The Pine Ridge Veterans Center in SD.

The Honolulu, Hilo, Lihue, Kailua-Kona, Kahului, and Wailuku Veterans Centers in HI.

The Kennai and Soldotna Veterans Centers in AK.

The Hagatna and Agana Heights Veterans Centers in Guam.

The Pago Pago Veterans Center in American Samoa.

The St. Croix and St. Thomas Veterans Centers in the American Virgin Islands.

The San Juan Veterans Center in Puerto Rico.

 2.) This will result in the termination of VA management and control over 1,215 existing facilities, but not the total elimination of the VHA. I will be seeking GM estimates of how long the transition from federal to chartered non-profit hospital status should take. Additionally, I will be seeking GM estimates on how much cost savings will accrue to the federal government. Prior to Atlascare, the VHA employed close to 300,000 persons and cost $65 Billion per year. I will be seeking GM estimates on how many employees will need to remain in the VHA to adequately staff the 43 facilities we are maintaining, as well as to maintain an adequate number of case workers to ensure that our Veterans get help enrolling in Atlascare and that their payment claims are processed correctly.

3.) Any Veteran who struggles to find adequate medical treatment due to a total lack of nearby hospitals or medical clinics, may seek treatment at any Military hospital.

4.) Any Veteran who receives treatment for burns or complications related from burns may seek treatment at any Military hospital with a burn center.   

5.) All remaining VHA Facilities must offer a treatment program for PTSD.

[Associate Justice PiT]

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People's Regional Senate
Passed 4-0-2 in the Atlasian Senate assembled
[/quote]

Status: Origin
Sponsor feedback: Friendly

     Representatives have 24 hours to object to the amendment.

[The Govanah Jake]

This seems too hold proper and fair reforms, thus i support this piece of legislation.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     With no objections Amendment H11:09 is adopted.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I will have another amendment here soon to continue what the first one started.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

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People's Regional Senate
Passed 4-0-2 in the Atlasian Senate assembled
[/quote]


I find this somewhat problematic as part of me wants to think that these treatments are already covered presently via Atlascare and already covered through the VBO. But for now here is the new amendment.

[Associate Justice PiT]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

People's Regional Senate
Passed 4-0-2 in the Atlasian Senate assembled
[/quote]

Status: Origin
Sponsor feedback: Friendly

     Representatives have 24 hours to object to the amendment.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     With no objections, Amendment H11:10 is adopted.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     If there are no more comments, I can bring this to a final vote in 24 hours.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I guess I am satisfied with the changes now.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     A final vote is now open on this bill. Representatives have 72 hours to vote aye, nay, or abstain.

[GM Team Member and Senator WB]

Aye.

[Bidenworth2020]

Aye.

[wxtransit]

Aye.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

AYE

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

Aye