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“So, if Abe Lincoln had today's healthcare environment when he went to take care of our vets, and establish something, he never would have a government plan or had government doctors. He would have given them an Anthem or Aetna or Blue Cross... a gold level insurance plan." - Brian Maryott |
Maryott clearly supports the efforts by the Trump Administration to massively expand the number of veterans who are moved out of the VA and into private, for-profit medical plans.
Veteran organizations have roundly criticized the proposed regulations calling it a “hollowing-out” of the VA in furtherance of an ideological privatization agenda that would dismantle the nation’s largest health care system, piece by piece.
“We need to strengthen the VA, not dismember it,” stated Congressmember Mike Levin. “The record is clear; privatization will result in worse medical service for veterans and higher costs for taxpayers. I vigorously oppose all efforts to privatize these vital services.”
As a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and VA Health Subcommittee, Levin has authored bipartisan legislation to improve access to health services and assist veterans in transitioning to civilian life. Six bipartisan bills authored by Levin to assist veterans have passed the House, and two of them already have been signed into law.
The 49th Congressional District, home to the nation’s largest Marine Base, Camp Pendleton, has one of the highest concentrations of veterans in the nation. 8.3% of the residents of CD49 are veterans. “Our veterans have given their all to serve and protect our country,” concluded Levin. “Their healthcare must not be sacrificed in order to fatten the profits of big insurance companies.”
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