From: Jim Gashel 
Subject: Re: Resolution 97.04
Hello Andy:
the information that the VA is trying to position themselves to enter the
private market of rehabilitation providers came to us from the director of
a va blind rehab center who thought we ought to know.  Moreover, I have
documents, including price schedules for services to be charged to private
clients, that prove what we were told.  Contrary to your belief, this is
actually no strawman.  I would think you could figure out a way to find
out the basis for a resolution without charging that it is false before
you know the facts.  perhaps you could try asking first.  
Thanks, 
j. g.
On Wed, 8 Oct 1997, Andy Baracco wrote:
> 
> 
> I was reading the resolutions in the August-September Braille Monitor. One
> that was mentioned was Resolution 97.04 which referred to the V. A. trying
> to get funding from other Federal and Sate agencies in order to provide
> rehab services to non-veteran blind persons. I have been employed by the
> V. A. for 21 years, and am active in their blind rehab effort. I have
> never heard anything about the V. A. expanding its client base to include
> non-veterans. In fact, they are hard strapped to serve the clients they
> have. Presently, the average wait for admission to a V. A. blind rehab
> center is 12 to 16 months. It is true that some wealthy veterans, or those
> who have private medical insurance are charged for services. We have found
> that most medical insurance plans will pay for these services. This is in
> keeping with Congress' mandate that Federal agencies explore means other
> than tax revenue to finance their programs whenever possible. I would
> think that the tax payers would appreciate this. Really, the V. A. cannot
> and will not serve non-veterans other than perhaps dependants of certain
> veterans, and even in that case, the person can choose whether or not to
> accept V. A. services. Veterans can, and do, have that option now. I think
> that the supporters of this resolution have another adjenda. I would be
> one of the first to criticize the V. A. when it is wrong, and believe me,
> they have been wrong many times, but someone is shooting at straw men this
> time.
> 
> Andy Baracco
> 
> 
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