The Star didn’t tell the whole story about a powerful group trying to privatize the VA

VA success

Sunday, The Star published The Washington Post story “VA chief to recommend hospital closures and expansions.” (25A) However, it was condensed from the original version, and it omitted a key source cited in the full story that is behind the drive to privatize core Veterans Administration duties: the Koch network-financed Concerned Veterans for America. This project from the well-funded 501(c)(4) nonprofit Americans for Prosperity provides cover for far-right-wing Republicans who oppose anything that would steer public money away from private business.

The VA health system deserves a balanced insider’s view in another article. That said, it stands proudly at the forefront of American medicine. Multiple studies have shown that in my area, cancer care, screening, early detection, outcomes and patient satisfaction at the VA are as good as or better than any other system in the country — at significantly reduced cost. It has the country’s best electronic medical records system, enjoys powerful economies of scale unmatched in the private sector and provides care, medications and treatments often denied to patients in the private sector.

The article’s author clearly never spent a day in a busy VA clinic or spoke with practitioners — some of the country’s finest and most dedicated and compassionate. They are indeed worried about defunding the VA — not because of threats to their jobs, but because outsourcing to private care leads to worse outcomes, much greater expense and unhappy patients who generally prefer care at the VA.

- Ace Allen, Overland Park

A small price

The recent horrific acts of inhumanity committed in Ukraine stir all our emotions as we watch with disbelief.

Now we are asked to accept the inevitable consequences of the sanctions by paying higher prices for energy and possibly other goods as well. Although I realize this may cause hardships for many Americans, which could be addressed by federal or state credits, I am willing to conserve, drive less and, yes, pay higher prices.

It seems a small price to pay for helping the Ukrainian people and deterring Russian aggression in the future. Ukrainians, we are with you.

- Geoffrey E. Allen, Lee’s Summit

Will be missed

Thanks to The Star for the recent editorial about the retirement of Mid-Continent Public Library director Steven Potter. (March 15, 9A, “Library director quit after conspiracy theories pushed”) This man deserves thanks from the entire metropolitan area.

MCPL is a jewel for our community, and Potter deserves a lot of the credit. The substantial capital improvements as well as the library’s response during COVID-19 and its increased digital services have made our library system one of the best in the country. Visits to libraries in other towns confirm this.

It is a shame that some board members are trying to hijack the library’s mission of providing free information to all patrons for their own narrow political purposes. Diversity is not a four-letter word, and it appears we need more diversity of opinions on the board, not less. Libraries need to represent and reflect the entire community they serve.

Thank you, Mr. Potter, for your excellent leadership all these years.

- Denise Brown, Kansas City

A split solution

Polls show that a clear majority of Americans want to end the twice-a-year time change. This week, the U.S. Senate unanimously agreed to legislation to make daylight saving time permanent year-round.

I propose that we split the one-hour difference before making a permanent change. In the fall, turn our clocks back just a half-hour, then have that time be permanent. Then both proponents and opponents would get something of what they want: a half-hour more daylight in summer evenings and a half-hour more daylight on cold winter mornings.

- Diana Spare, Kansas City