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McCain vows to overhaul benefit programs for vets

McCain vows to overhaul benefit programs for vets

By JACQUES BILLEAUD

Published August 26, 2008 at 9:08 a.m.

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PHOENIX (AP) _ Speaking to a group of military veterans Tuesday, Republican presidential hopeful John McCain pledged to overhaul benefit programs for veterans by improving the quality of and access to their health care.

The Arizona senator said at the American Legion National Convention that he would hire a forceful advocate to lead the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, modernize the disability system so veterans can get benefits quickly and put more money into veterans programs by cutting pork-barrel spending.

"Veterans should never be deprived of quality medical care and mental health coverage for illness or injury incurred as a result of their service to our country," McCain said.

He said he would improve screening and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries and create a voluntary program that gives veterans injured in the military and those with low incomes access to health care near their homes.

Some veterans aren't able to get care because they live long distances from their treatment centers and face long wait times. McCain said the voluntary program wouldn't privatize medical care for veterans or force them to go to health care centers that aren't run by Veterans Affairs.

Before digging into the heart of his speech, McCain took a swipe at Arizona's Democratic governor.

McCain, one of the first speakers at the convention, said it fell to him to welcome the visiting veterans to Arizona because Gov. Janet Napolitano is in Denver at the Democratic National Convention. The governor was a scheduled speaker Tuesday at the Democratic gathering.

"Our governor is out of town, up in Denver for some big party they're throwing there," McCain joked. "I guess my invitation got lost in the mail."

The veterans, however, heard Napolitano's videotaped remarks later in the day.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama won't attend the veterans convention, but his videotaped message will be played for veterans Wednesday.

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American Legion: www.legion.org/