Veterans report many are falling for the Washington politician lies that the VA is not being privatized.

TUCSON, AZ - Do you know that approximately 40% of the of the 104 million VA outpatient appointments are now being conducted in the private sector via the Choice & Community Care programs? That’s right! Only 60% of all the veterans served are being cared for in VA hospitals & clinics. Before Congress passed the Choice Act in 2014 about 22% of outpatient appointments were done in the private sector

The VA “Completed Appointments” vs Private Sector
Appts. (Community Care+Choice) Rates Are:
Percent of Outpatient Appts by Fiscal Year (FY)

FY14 70.8 m total appts. 22% in pvt. sector & 78% in VA

FY15 79.7 m appts. 30% in pvt. sec. & 70% in VA

FY16 89.2 m 35% in pvt. sec. & 65% in VA

FY17 103.7 m 40% in pvt. sec. & 60% in VA

You see the trends, right? How soon will they begin closing hospitals & clinics due to not enough patients?

Well, some Veterans Service Organizations have fallen for the lies that the VA is not being privatized we are just helping veterans get better care faster.

VSO's in New Mexico have not fallen for the lies.

Below is a report from Veterans for Peace member Charles R. Powell on the New Mexico resolution.

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 website is <uvcnm.org>.

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 R. Powell

Wisconsin families are facing a huge crisis with child care costs, that’s why Democrats are proud to support legislation to provide a child care tax credit.

MADISON – Today, Senator LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) offered the following weekly Democratic radio address on Supporting Families through a Child Care Tax Credit.

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here.

A written transcript of the address is below:

“Hello. I’m State Senator LaTonya Johnson.

“Wisconsin has many great child care providers who offer exceptional services to families in our community. As a former child care provider myself, I have seen first-hand the positive impact having a safe, quality place for children to thrive can have on a child’s life and on a parent’s ability to work.

“But Wisconsin families are facing a huge crisis with child care costs soring. In fact, only about one in five families are able to afford infant care in our state with an average cost of over $11,000 per year. That’s more than one year of tuition at a UW system school.

“For too many families, quality child care isn’t just unaffordable, it’s nearly impossible. Families with an infant and a four-year-old spend nearly a third of their income on child care alone.

“That’s why Wisconsin Democrats are proud to support legislation to provide Wisconsin families with a child care tax credit. Under our proposal, a family with one child would be given an income tax credit of up to $1,050 and a family of four or more would see a tax credit of up to $2,100.

“Through targeted tax relief, we can help support hardworking families while also ensuring our child care providers are able to retain workers dedicated to the development and safety of our children.”

MADISON - Last week, Governor Scott Walker took to Twitter and criticized NFL players and those who support them for their decision to peacefully protest against police brutality.

Following the event, Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) made the following statement:

“So Governor Walker didn’t have time to defend Harley-Davidson, but he has time to blow dog whistles. While draping himself in the ignorance of Donald Trump’s themes of racial division, bigotry and disregard for the rights of others to peacefully protest, Walker’s calls to be honorable and stand up ring hollow. Because when police officers have made egregious decisions, like those that led to the death of Derek Williams in the back of a Milwaukee squad car, Walker didn’t speak about respect or honor, and he definitely didn’t stand up.

Clearly he missed the memo, so I will give it to him again. Kneeling has nothing to do with the military, never has and never did. In fact, it was Green Beret and NFL player Nate Boyer who asked Colin Kaepernick to "take a knee," rather than sit, during the national anthem. STOP trying to co-opt the message! The kneeling was to protest police killings of unarmed African Americans. I don’t know, like Botham Shem Jean, who was shot and killed by a Dallas police officer who mistakenly entered his apartment. Other bullets on the memo include, prior to 2009 NFL players being on the field for the national anthem wasn’t even a required practice. Also there are some lyrics in the song, that some African-Americans have found to be objectionable. Like, the reference to former slaves being killed on the battlefield.

Everyone else may not hear it, but Walker’s decision to weigh in deeper on this issue is coming through loud and clear. I would appreciate it, if both the Governor and Lt. Governor Kleefisch would not use this issue as political fodder to stir up racial division and angst in our state. Wisconsin already does a pretty good job at segregation. With racial disparities in everything from education to incarceration, we need leadership, not a Twitter fight.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/foxconnwisconsin-s5.jpgAs Foxconn pulls the classic bait-and-switch on jobs and commitment to Wisconsin, the people are stuck with a  deal that will cost everyone for 25 more years. Is Walker's big deal turning into just another empty election year promise?

MADISON -- The following is a statement from Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning on the significance of Labor Day.

“This Labor Day, I’m so grateful for the hard work and determination of leaders before us who fought tooth and nail for the rights of our nation’s working people. The Democratic Party has been proud to stand beside the workers of Wisconsin through some of the toughest fights our state has seen. And we will stand arm in arm together as we build a better future for our families and our communities.

“We remain committed as ever to fighting for a living minimum wage, for ensuring working people have the ability to organize for better working conditions, for equal pay guarantees and for workplaces free of discrimination. We all do better when we all do better, and that means making sure hardworking Wisconsinites have a fair shot at getting ahead.”

Schools are the heart of the community for cities and towns across Wisconsin. In order to move forward, we need to prioritize K-12 education.

MADISON, WI – Senator Patty Schachtner (D-Somerset) offered the weekly Democratic radio address today.

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here.

A written transcript of the address is below:

“Hi, I’m State Senator Patty Schachtner with this week’s Democratic Radio Address.

“Students, parents, and teachers are gearing up for another school year.

“Schools are the heart of the community for cities and towns across Wisconsin. They are a place of learning, collaboration, and growth for our children and their families.

“As a parent and former school board member, I want every child to have the opportunity to succeed.

“Whether a child is interested in the agriculture or academia, white-collar work or blue-collar careers, schools should help them grow along the way.

“Despite the importance of education, I am concerned we are not doing enough to prepare our children for today’s competitive economy.

“Wisconsin’s K-12 schools are still recovering from historic cuts to education made in 2011, when $792 million in direct state aid was eliminated.

“Statewide, the average years of teaching experience declined since 2011.

“While state lawmakers increased K-12 spending this year, many communities fear the overdue increases are insufficient to meet next year’s needs.

“In order to move Wisconsin forward, we need to prioritize K-12 education. That means investing in our schools and teachers.

“Thank you.”

Join the team of artists and Mayor Tom Barrett for a Peace Post Ceremony with a live performance by WebsterX inaugurating the Home Court Design.

MILWAUKEE - Anne and Ben Koller, owners of the iconic MECCA floor, were born and raised in Milwaukee’s Midtown neighborhood, growing up playing sports at Tiefenthaler Park, a park that has been the scene of two homicides and multiple shootings in one of the most violent zip codes in the City. Over the years, community organizations surrounding the park have been seeking innovative initiatives that foster peace and encourage youth in a positive direction. After traveling the world and working in public art, placemaking and entrepreneurship, Anne and Ben felt called to return to their roots and support the community they grew up in.

Since January, in partnership with Lake Valley Camp and ActivateMKE, they have been working with community residents and leaders on peacemaking efforts that use sport and art as a platform for peace. With the support of generous grants from the Milwaukee Arts Board and Harry and Mary Franke Idea Fund, community-based public artist Muneer Bahauddeen was commissioned to lead the neighborhood through a process of peacemaking to craft five (5) Peace Posts made using the residents intentions for peace as the inspiration and foundation of the art pieces.

In the spirit of the MECCA Floor, bring together the seemingly opposite worlds of Sport and Art, a diverse team of local artists were assembled to design and execute a fully painted basketball court at Tiefenthaler park as a memorial to the Life and Work of the late pop artist Robert Indiana. On Saturday, August 25th from 5 to 9PM join Midtown residents and leaders at Tiefenthaler Park (25th and Galena) for their city-wide Stand 4 Peace Day Celebration.

Attendees are invited to join the team of artists and Mayor Tom Barrett for a Peace Post Ceremony with a live performance by WebsterX inaugurating the Home Court Design in support of peace and unity in the community. Learn more and RSVP at stand4peacemke.eventrbrite.com.

Peace,

Anne and Ben Koller

Help build momentum behind Senator Elizabeth Warren’s timely new Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act.

MIDDLETON, WI - The real surprise isn’t President Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen pleading guilty to eight felonies. And it isn’t Trump’s former campaign chair Paul Manafort being found guilty of eight more felonies by a Virginia jury.

The surprise is seeing powerful Washington players like Cohen and Manafort actually facing accountability from our system.

But accountability could start happening a whole lot more often. Americans are outraged at what they’re seeing right now -- which means our Elizabeth Warren couldn’t have picked a better week to build momentum for the newest and most ambitious anti-corruption legislation since Watergate.

But this bill won’t go anywhere without progressives behind it.

Join thousands of fellow Legit supporters endorsing Senator Elizabeth Warren’s brand-new Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act. Show progressives stand behind accountability for public officials.

Trump’s inner circle collapsing under its own corruption has been a blaring wake-up call for the American people and many in the press.

Corruption in Washington isn’t a small problem, and it can’t be fixed with piecemeal solutions. The sweeping protections of the Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act are our best hope to protect our democracy from campaigns to lobbying to the judiciary.

With this bill as law, operatives like Paul Manafort wouldn’t even start lobbying for foreign governments. And federal candidates would face way higher disclosure requirements, meaning candidates like Trump would find it impossible to get away with flagrant campaign violations.

These are just a few of the ways that the Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act would restore major legitimacy to our government, which explains why thousands of Legit members are hurrying to build momentum for it. Now you have the power to supercharge that momentum.

Help build momentum behind Senator Elizabeth Warren’s timely new Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act. Show your support now.

Senator Warren is right to say that Trump’s administration is one of the most corrupt in history. But we have the power to make sure future administrations maintain the high standards of legitimacy we rightfully expect from American government.

Thank you for standing up for democratic legitimacy today,

LegitAction Team

Talk about the latest MU Law poll and the onslaught of new political TV ads, Democrats in rural and small town areas, and the marijuana referendums in Wisconsin.

STATEWIDE - Our panel dissects the new MU Law poll and the onslaught of new political TV ads (spoiler alert: the Governor's race is a toss up). We then welcome Citizen Action Co-op member and State Assembly 60th District candidate Chris Rahlf who is running a strong campaign in a long time Republican district. We discuss the opportunities for Democrats in rural and small town areas and encourage volunteers to join Chris and knock doors untouched for years. Southeastern Wisconsin NORML ED Eric Marsch joins us to update listeners on the marijuana referendums in Wisconsin and marijuana legalization polling at 61%!

As we recognize the efforts of health care providers, it’s time for our state leaders to come together and prioritize patient-centered solutions that expand access to quality, affordable health coverage.

MADISON, WI – Senator Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) offered the weekly Democratic radio address today.

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here.

A written transcript of the address is below:

“Hi, I’m State Senator Jennifer Shilling with this week’s Democratic Radio Address.

“Across Wisconsin, families know that access to quality health care can be a challenge.

“As costs increase and communities struggle with provider shortages, many Health Centers have stepped up to expand coverage and meet the needs of local residents.

“As we celebrate National Health Center Week and recognize the efforts of health care providers across our country, it’s important to look for ways Wisconsin can improve health care access.

“Rather than allowing powerful drug companies and insurance executives to write their own rules, Democrats are fighting to expand health care coverage, protect community health clinics and lower prescription costs for seniors.

“We’ve rolled out our plans to strengthen BadgerCare, combat prescription drug price gouging, and improve access to preventive health services like cancer screenings and annual checkups.

"As medical providers and Community Health Clinics do their part to serve local residents, it’s time for our state leaders to come together and prioritize patient-centered solutions that expand access to quality, affordable health coverage.

“While the stakes couldn’t be higher, I’m confident that Wisconsin can once again be a leader in health care.”

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