Breaking: Four-hour drive for a colonoscopy? What VA privatization warnings ignore

Having trouble viewing this email? | View it in your browser   David McCray needed help from his senator, Michael Bennet of Colorado, to intercede with the Department of Veterans Affairs to help him get colonoscopy appointments closer to his home instead of having to drive four hours round-trip to Denver. His case — the fact that a veteran would need a U.S. senator to get workable colonoscopy appointments — helps illustrate the medical barriers veterans are still facing while a political battle unfolds in Washington over privatizing VA health care. A USA TODAY analysis of Senate lobbying reports provides a revealing snapshot of just who stands to benefit or lose from expanding VA-funded private care for veterans. Meanwhile, more than 700,000 veterans still are waiting longer than a month for medical appointments. FOR MORE ON THIS STORY, GO TO:   USATODAY.COM     Help | Advertise | Home Delivery | Privacy Policy - Your California Privacy Rights     © 2017 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22108