Presidential hopeful John McCain outlined a proposal for a health care card for veterans Monday, offering veterans the option of receiving health care outside of the VA system. The Arizona Senator also criticized rival Barack Obama for his stance on Iraq and extended a warning to Russia following the conflict in Georgia.
Speaking at the 109th Annual Veterans of Foreign Wars of The United States National Convention, McCain called the Veterans' Care Access Card a "simple and direct reform," McCain explained that it would allow veterans access to health care providers outside of VA hospitals.
"For many veterans, the closest VA facility isn't close enough," the Arizona Senator said. "Often, all that prevents them from receiving local care is a system for sharing medical records among VA, DOD, and civilian hospitals and doctors."
McCain noted that the card is not designed to replace the VA or make veterans' health care private, which has been a common criticism of the proposal. Rather, he said that he believes "the new card I propose will offer better alternatives, to provide the benefits they have earned."
The presumptive Republican nominee reiterated his support for the VA.
"My reforms would not force anyone to go to a non-VA facility," he said. "They will not signal privatization of the VA. And they will not replace any scheduled expansion of the VA network -- including those facilities designed to serve veterans living in rural and remote areas."
He also criticized opponent Barack Obama for his stance on Iraq. The war in Iraq is perhaps one of the most divisive issues for the candidates, with McCain expressing his desire to keep troops in the region until it is stable, while Obama favors a withdrawal. Saying a "victory" in Iraq is "finally in sight," the Arizona Senator offered his own interpretation of the difference in the candidate's stance in the speech.
"In short, both candidates in this election pledge to end this war and bring our troops home," he said. "The great difference is that I intend to win it first."
"The lasting advantage of a peaceful and democratic ally in the heart of the Middle East could still be squandered by hasty withdrawal and arbitrary timelines," he added. "And this is one of many problems in the shifting positions of my opponent, Senator Obama."
McCain continued his open criticism of Russia and support for Georgia, hinting that the actions of the past week would not be tolerated should he be elected. Specifically, McCain focused on oil supplies and the consequences of Russia's influence on the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline.
"If that pipeline were destroyed or controlled by Russia, global energy supplies would be even more vulnerable to Russian influence with serious consequences on the world energy market," McCain said.
"When young democracies are threatened or attacked, and innocent civilians are targeted, they should be able to count on the free world for support and solidarity," he continued. "If I am elected president, they will have that support."
The Arizona Senator was direct in his remarks, noting that similar actions by Russia will "come at a heavy cost."
McCain also attempted to explain his opposition to the 21st century GI Bill of rights that was signed into law at the end of June. McCain had offered his own version of the legislation, although he praised the final version while on the campaign trail after it passed.
The Presidential hopeful accused Obama of taking liberties with his position on the GI Bill. McCain explained that the initial version of the bill did not allow service members to transfer benefits to their families.
"As a political proposition, it would have much easier for me to have just signed on to what I considered flawed legislation," McCain said. "I'm proud to say that the result is a law that better serves our military, better serves military families, and better serves the interests of our country."
In a statement praising the legislation following its passage, the American Legion offered thanks to several Congressional officials, although they did not thank McCain despite the fact that President George W. Bush had praised the Senator in his address.
"Legionnaires are especially grateful to Sen. Jim Webb for authoring the Post-9-11 Veterans Education Assistance Act that led to today's new GI Bill," said Marty Conatser, national commander of The American Legion.
"There were many others in Congress that labored to achieve this success, and we particularly salute Sens. Harry Reid, John Warner and Chuck Hagel and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and House Minority Leader John Boehner for their leadership," Conatser added.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com