Cliff Stearns: “our President often proudly uses a very enthusiastic phrase committing our Nation to better education for our young…”

“our President often proudly uses a very enthusiastic phrase committing our Nation to better education for our young people, ``Let us leave no child behind,'' and rightly so. Children are the lifeblood of our Nation. But today, with all of the military commitments overseas, I propose another rallying cry, leave no veteran behind waiting to get a doctor's appointment. Just as we must look ahead and nurture our children, we must look back in gratitude and take care of our veterans who have fought for freedom and democracy. Besides, investing in care for veterans is looking ahead, for timely veterans' benefits can serve as a powerful incentive in steering young people towards armed services careers. Not a day goes by when I do not hear from a frustrated veteran who cannot get an appointment at a VA outpatient clinic or an inpatient VA bed. I suspect the same is true for most of my colleagues. For too long too few resources have been provided to the VA health care system, resulting in understaffed, underfunded facilities. Last week Salvatore Stanzione, Assistant Executive Director of the Disabled American Veterans in Florida, presented to me some very disturbing trends. In my district and other parts of Florida, a wait of a year to see a primary care physician, and up to 16 months to see a specialist, is not unusual.”