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This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

VA overhaul was needed

The Spokesman-Review published an article July 23 written by Matthew Daly of the Associated Press. The article featured Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald and his comments at a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing about the pending $2.5 billion shortfall and hospital shutdown.

One portion of the article tells of Congress approval of a sweeping overhaul of the VA system with an ending quote about the system giving too much care to our veterans, causing severe budget problems.

My opinion is the overhaul was long overdue and only scratches the surface required to make policy close to being acceptable. Were those comments taken out of context or exaggerated? Probably not. To give our veterans too much care is an impossibility because of the VA’s mindset and attitude.

It is not our system. It is their system and attitude causing all the generational grief. The VA system has to catch up before it can give too much care. A system that was in the business to say no or deny services may never give too much deserved care to our veterans and their families.

Jim Daugherty

President, Chapter 879 Spokane, Vietnam Veterans of America

Spokane Valley

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