John McCain
Town Hall
Rochester, NH 07/22/08
TRANSCRIPT:
QUESTIONER: "Hello, sir. I'm Greg [Last name edited] from Dover, NH. Sir, I'm a disabled Iraq war veteran. Myself, along with other disabled veterans have been having difficulties receiving benefits from the VA. The issue is from the adjudication process that hasn't been changed since World War I. When you become president, and I do mean when you become president, will you facilitate change in the adjudication process that is 90 years old?"
MCCAIN: "We did make some improvements in legislation that was recently passed by the Congress. We need to do more. But I think you would agree, first of all I thank you for your service. Could I [applause interrupts]. While the rest of you sit down, could I also say that there's another veteran that I see here from our greatest generation. Would you stand also sir? Thank you, because we appreciate your service as well [inaudible due to applause]. Thank you. Thank you and God bless you sir. Thank you, we have veterans of all wars here and of course you continue to inspire all of us. Uh, look, I carry with me usually a little card and a quote from General George Washington in 1789. That's why I mention our greatest generation being here too. And basically what he said in 1789, and I'm not as eloquent, he said the willingness with which young Americans will serve their country in time of war will be directly related to how the veterans of previous wars were treated by their fellow countrymen. Those words are as true today as they were then. I think we have great people working for the VA, I think you would agree with that. We have wonderful, dedicated people. I was recently down at the Phoenix VA, and met with them, some of them. And they're doing a great job. But we also know there's not enough facility, and there's not enough care. So here's my idea. And it's not originated with me, but I've consulted with so many, Paul, and Griff, and so many others who are here. Look, we need to concentrate our efforts to handle those wounds and those disabilities that are directly the result of combat. We need to expand our ability to treat PTSD. PTSD is going to be tough in this war, you know that. And we need to treat the combat wounds. We need to have increased ability to do so and right now, unfortunately, there are people who are, now drive a long way and they stand in line, and they have a routine healthcare need. And they stand in line, and they stand in line, to get an appointment, to get an appointment. Now my friends, we need to give those veterans who have routine healthcare needs a plastic card and say take that to the doctor, the healthcare provider of your choice and get the care you need. And meanwhile, [interrupted by applause] concentrate on our ability to treat PTSD, those wounds. The good news is, as you know, we're getting the wounded more quickly to medical care than ever before and we're saving so many lives."
LABEL: JM NH 07-22 (RAD#3) UE - Clip 14
If you'd like to acquire a high resolution version of this clip, visit:
http://issuealliance.box.net/shared/c6v1lvjswg
To download this entire event, visit:
http://issuealliance.box.net/shared/2ql1auko44
Loading...
13:582011 Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Yearby DisabledVeterans1,432 views
Link to this comment:
All Comments (0)