Buerkle Confuses the Hippocratic Oath and the Hypocritic Oath

VA doctors and dentists, according to Ann Marie Buerkle's recent amendment to H.R. 2074, the Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention Act, can pay for continuing medical education out of their own pockets from now on. This is her especially cynical approach to cutting the budget. She was a nurse one day long ago. As she graduated from nursing school she may have taken the "Florence Nightingale Pledge," similar to the Hippocratic Oath: I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, .... I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, .... With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician, in his[sic] work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care. Don't ever confuse her with Florence Nightingale. She is hard as nails. Especially galling for veterans and those who support them in every possible way is that she wraps herself in the flag of veteran-love at every public opportunity, shaming anyone who would question her or her loyalty to her rigid beliefs and to her handlers and funders. Documentation from the American Federation of Government Employees' website: NVAC [National VA Council] Successfully Defends Medical Education Reimbursement: AFGE’s National VA Council recently blocked another attempt to eliminate reimbursement for continuing medical education (CME) programs for VA physicians and dentists -- and with bipartisan support. The full House Committee on Veterans' Affairs last week had a markup hearing to consider a number of health care bills, including an amendment introduced by Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle to H.R. 2074. The Buerkle amendment would have completely eliminated all reimbursement currently payable to full time, board certified VA physicians and dentists. This proposal to eliminate CME reimbursement was also included in the VA’s list of requested legislation submitted to House Speaker John Boehner earlier this year. The existing reimbursement amount of $1000 is very modest compared to the cost of the courses that clinicians must take to remain employed and certified, and it has not been increased since 1991. AFGE is working with lawmakers to increase the CME amount and expand eligibility.