First Lady: Veterans Deserve Care They Were Promised, Benefits They Earned
EmailABC News' Karen Travers reports:
First Lady Michelle Obama dropped by the Department of Veterans Affairs today to thank the employees for their service and highlight the work her husband's administration has done for the nation's veterans.
"Day in and day out the folks here at the VA are working to uphold America's sacred trust with those who defend our freedom, because it's a commitment that doesn't end when our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, or Coast Guards men and women take off the uniform," the first lady said.
The visit was part of the First Lady's agency tour, a series of meet and greets at the federal departments in Washington.
The purpose is to thank staff and highlight the work that they are doing but the visits have also served as a useful platform for Mrs. Obama to tout the work her husband's administration is doing on a range of policy issues.
Today she listed steps taken by the Obama Administration to on behalf of the nation's veterans including expanding VA health coverage to more veterans, increasing in VA funding, expanding access to health care in rural areas and putting greater focus on post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries.
Calling the work of the VA "vital," Mrs. Obama said that the nation's veterans "deserve our unwavering support."
"It seems so simple," she said to applause. "They deserve the care that they were promised, and they deserve the benefits that they earned. "
Mrs. Obama noted that on Thursday the president will sign the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act at the White House.
"This legislation guarantees a timely and predictable flow of funding for VA medical care because that's what's required to guarantee better care to the men and women who serve this country," she said.
This is the First Lady's 12th visit to a federal agency. She dropped by the Department of Health and Human Services last week to promote healthy eating and exercise for children and families.
-Karen Travers
Obama: 'Now Is the Time For Common Sense Action' 
Romney Takes Aim at Conservatives
Please more bogus talk from the Obama’s.
Posted by: Spock | October 20, 2009, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm
The reporter failed to mention the First Lady’s outfit. It’s a slant of omission not even to note whether her toned arms were visible today.
It’s in these small ways that media coverage limits the kind of full access to Mr. and Mrs. Obama that citizens deserve.
Posted by: Bob | October 20, 2009, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
Of course, her husband is the guy who tried to yank benefits for veterans (making service-related conditions be covered by private insurance) as soon as he got in office. Probably would have, too until the VA shamed him into backing off. Don’t worry — I’m sure it will come up again later.
Posted by: Beth | October 20, 2009, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm
Yes they do. Wonder why it is so slow in coming?????
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | October 20, 2009, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
National Military Family Association:
“Our Association appreciates the continued interest of Mrs. Obama, Dr. Biden and their staffs in the well-being of military families.”
Posted by: gus amaral | October 20, 2009, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm
===”This legislation guarantees a timely and predictable flow of funding for VA medical care because that’s what’s required to guarantee better care to the men and women who serve this country,” she said.===
Absolutely. They deserve this and so much more.
Posted by: Axey | October 20, 2009, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm
How on earth can She or or Husband claim to support veterans or service personnel while our boys and girls are getting attacked daily due to lack of SUPPORT BY THE COMMANDER AND CHIEF?
Sorry, They rolled the dice. It’s Snake Eyes!
Posted by: Charles Nungester | October 20, 2009, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
The right wing reveal themselves when they attack anything and everything. It’s bogus and obvious.
Yawn . . .
Posted by: julieterra | October 20, 2009, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
It must have been very painful for our veterans to have to listen to a U.S. enemy like Michelle Obama while she pretended to care for the U.S. and for our veterans!
Posted by: antoniososa | October 20, 2009, 5:56 pm 5:56 pm
“a U.S. enemy like Michelle Obama”
__________________________________
This is provocative and hateful and has no place on a blog like this.
Posted by: julieterra | October 20, 2009, 7:05 pm 7:05 pm
“a U.S. enemy like Michelle Obama”
__________________________________
This is provocative and hateful and has no place on a blog like this.
Posted by: julieterra | Oct 20, 2009 7:05:16 PM
********
You must be one of the 25 admin people working for MO. Give it a rest!
Posted by: Jenny | October 20, 2009, 8:13 pm 8:13 pm
“a U.S. enemy like Michelle Obama”
The new CNN poll shows that 64% of Americans like this so-called U.S. enemy.
Posted by: Numeros | October 20, 2009, 9:32 pm 9:32 pm
How about military retirees. Do they deserve what was promised them, and stolen from them by William Perry and Bill Clinton, and who were abetted in that theft by Newt Gingrich and Trent Lott?
Posted by: Ken | October 20, 2009, 9:58 pm 9:58 pm
military, or are you including large defense contractors?
try this one on for size:
“Bush is gone, but Halliburton keeps cashing checks”
http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=15382
Posted by: follow the money | October 21, 2009, 12:41 am 12:41 am