Ryan Ray
As the rollicking presidential campaign of New York real estate mogul Donald Trump recently took a moment to put forth a policy proposal or two, Floridians may have noticed one that seemed familiar.
“Under a Trump Administration, all veterans eligible for VA health care can bring their veteran’s ID card to any doctor or care facility that accepts Medicare to get the care they need immediately,” reads a recent missive from the Trump campaign. “Our veterans have earned the freedom to choose better or more convenient care from the doctor and facility of their choice.”
That idea – freeing veterans of regional constraints on where they can access benefits – “identically mirrors” U.S. Rep. David Jolly‘s “Freedom Card” plan for veterans’ healthcare, said an aide with Jolly’s office.
The Clearwater Republican’s proposal (the “Veterans Health Care Freedom Act,” H.R. 3183) would issue a new ID card to all U.S. veterans that would expand and make permanent a pilot program to allow them to use their benefits outside of existing VA providers.
Jolly, who is running for the Senate, came up with the plan during a vets intake day after the VA crisis broke, where he spent the day with about 200 veterans and discussed vets’ issues with them.
A spokesman said the Jolly camp was honored by the notion that Trump may have taken a page out of Jolly’s policy playbook, saying whoever gets the credit, the important thing is to “put this issue on the national radar where it belongs,” Max Goodman said.
Jolly represents the Pinellas County-based 14th Congressional District, where many elderly veterans make their homes.
The Freedom Card plan was recently co-signed by Sen. John McCain, perhaps the best-known veteran in Congress. McCain introduced a Senate companion bill, S. 1991.
The bill has not, as yet, been scheduled for a hearing in the House.
