Dr. No Says No To Veterans

Here’s an important question to ask this Veteran’s Day: What does U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn really think about the troops?

Well, apparently, not much. Coburn has placed one of his infamous holds on the Veterans' Caregiver and Omnibus Health Benefits Act of 2009, which is a major veteran’s health bill. Coburn, often described as “Dr. No,” has indicated he believes the bill’s costs need to be matched by cuts elsewhere.

In other words, it’s okay to send soldiers off to war, but it’s not okay to take care of them and their families when they come home wounded and exhausted.

Here are some groups who oppose Coburn’s action:

The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, AmVets, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Blinded Veterans Association, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Jewish War Veterans, plus the Military Officers Association of America, National Military Family Association and Wounded Warrior Project.

At a recent press conference, Democratic Party Chair Todd Goodman had this to say about Coburn:

Tom Coburn yesterday admitted that he placed an anonymous hold on S1963, the Veterans Caregiver and Omnibus Health Benefits Act of 2009. This bill would improve health care and services for our veterans, particularly expanding access to those in rural areas. It would also ensure equal access for female veterans, address homelessness among veterans and give support to caregivers of wounded veterans.

It is the day before Veterans’ Day, but yet one man in the Senate is standing alone in this fight against our veterans. And he is truly on his own in choosing to say no to these brave men and women.

Sen. Coburn, if you’d rather not be a Senator, if you’d rather just be a doctor, then go back to Muskogee and practice medicine. Oklahoma would be much better off with a Senator who will govern, who will stand up for our veterans, and who will do the right thing. Dr. Coburn, after this show of political gamesmanship, I am confident that Oklahoma would be better off without you in the Senate.

Coburn should back off the hold and allow the bill to get to the Senate floor for a vote. If a majority accepts his view about costs, then so be it. If not, then that’s how democracy works.