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Editorial: Unkind cut for veterans
Care home delayed too long
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It seems the gods are conspiring against a veterans care home in Ventura County.
For 15 years (some 10 years longer than it took to defeat the Germans in World War II), county veterans fought against political shenanigans, a stubborn bureaucracy and continual downsizing of the project. Finally, their patience and perseverance were rewarded when ground was broken last year for a $26.5 million veterans home in Saticoy, scheduled for move-in by early 2009.
The home will provide 60 beds for veterans who need special medical care (down from the original plan of 400) and will offer daytime services for an additional 50 veterans.
Now, however, a new foe confronts the veterans — a $14.5 billion state budget shortfall, which could delay the Saticoy home from opening by at least another year.
In response to the shortfall, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed cuts for all departments to reduce spending by $9 billion, a move that impacts funding for the Saticoy home, meaning ailing county veterans must continue to travel long distances for medical care.
Dave Betti, president of the Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County, told Star reporter Zeke Barlow that the long trip down to Los Angeles and elsewhere is a true hardship for many elderly county veterans. "That's not right," he said. "These guys don't want to wait 12 months."
The Star agrees. As we previously argued, Gov. Schwarzenegger's across-the-board budget cuts make no sense. Instead, the state needs to prioritize spending — cut the least valuable and fund the most needed. What greater priority can there be than our aging patriots?
Further, there is an extraordinary need here in the county, home to one of the largest concentrations of veterans in the nation: 60,000 to 65,000, with an average age of 65.
Not only shouldn't veterans have to wait for a nearby care home, failing health means many can't wait. Just think about how much easier life would be for seriously ill veterans and their families with a place closer to home.
The state needs to deliver the long-promised, overdue funding. No more delays.
Posted by jprieto on January 24, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is a sad fact that our country will help low income minority (immigrants) over our Vets who faught for our country. You won't see the Vets deface and run down their building but put in a housing project and within months it looks like a third world country. Our governments priorities are so far off it is sad.
Posted by sslocal on January 24, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I could not have said it any better jprieto.
Posted by chair on January 24, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The United States Government, which hired all of our war veterans, should provide free health care and medications for all combat veterans via a Medicare-like card entitling them to the services of any physician, for any problem, in any certified medical institution, at any time and at no cost to the veteran. Period. They deserve no less!
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