Attention All Military Retees and Veterans

[Grumpy]

"btw, thought I heard today that this idea has been scrapped. If so, good!

Andrew"

You heard right Andrew, but as I said in the first post, they will try this or something smiilar again. That is why the Veterans/Service organizations need as many members as they can get--to lobby against the cuts THAT WILL BE COMING.

I joined the Army in 1956, so I have been around for a couple of days and I can tell you from personal experience that when Congress, Senate, and President want to save money, pay off debt, or cut expenditures in some way, the first two plades they look at and try to cut are the military and Civil Service. The applies to both Republicans and Demoicrats, Liberals and Conservatives--ALL OF THEM HAVE DONE IT AND THEY WILL DO IT AGAIN IF WE LET THEM.

Grumpy

[shawnrd81]

1956 WOW!!! You have been around for a MIN OR TWO. I am in the Army now and stuff like this always worries me. They think they are slick cause I never heard of anything about this until this thread (Thanks Grumpy). That is how this stuff gets passed they keep it secret until it is to late to do anything about it.

[wishniwasfishn]

I should of not said what I said, and they were right to delete it, sorry, but it just gets me so upset to think anyone would try and take something away from the people who have given their lives, limbs, sanity, to make this country what it is, and it all starts from the top form a man that has never served! I am a Army brat, and proud of it!

[cra97]

Your not the only one Shawn. I did 18 years, as you know from our talks on the water, and I have not heard a lick about this till Grump posted it either. It really upsets me because these types of actions could KILL a family, like mine, who rely on these benefits. The saddest thing is that disabled veterans, again like me, who cannot hold down a job cannot run right out and get a position that can provide these necessary benefits for our families. Heck, with all my "issues" no insurance company in their right mind would accept me as a client, I know I wouldn't if I were them.
Grump, I WILL write, call, and do what I can to promote this awareness also, but if you hear anything else, seeing as some of us don't get the info obviously, please post it. I appreciate your service to our country AND keeping us informed on these important issues. I believe that is the kind of thing THIS board was made for, and I REALLY thank the moderators for allowing it to be brought here for us to see. Not everything in life, although we wish it was, is about fishing.
If this does pass somehow, I know I for one will lose EVERYTHING because I will NEVER be able to get coverage for me, my wife, and 4 kids without going financially broke.
I have one question for you though, was this aimed at "medically retired" (medically boarded Soldiers), retired Soldiers, AND disabled vets ALL???? Thanks again for the info.

Rob

[Grumpy]

cra97, I don't know any of the details, Wednesday night on the NBC news there was a short blurb that a women, whose name I don't remember, working on Obama's health care plan suggested that "wounded soldiers and Veterans" should have to buy thier own health insurance and then the VA could stop treating them, thus saving many billions of dollars. The announcer said that General Shinseki, the new head of the VA, was against the suggestion. I tried to find out more details on the internet but couldn't.

The next night there was another blurb that a bunch of service organizations, like the American Legion, VFW, DAV, PVA, etc had been so outraged that the suggestion was already dropped.

Even though that idea was canned, I still wanted to alert Veterans and Military Retirees that this administration will be going after our EARNED BENEFITS and that Veterans and Military Retirees should join service organizations to help give them the clout to combat these type cuts.

Grumpy

[Grumpy]

Right after I finished my comment above, I checked my email before taking my afternoon nap (smile) and there was a newsletter from The Retired Enlisted Association. Here is the pertienent part:

"Proposal to Have Private Health Plans Billed For VA Service Connected Medical Treatment is Dead-Again Last week we were told by VA Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-CA) that the Administration’s proposal to bill veterans’ private insurance plans (if they have them) for medical treatment that the VA provided for service connected disabilities was dead. Dead Dead Dead. But this week it was back on the table. This proposal which would fundamentally change the relationship between the government and the veteran who had served it. Numerous VSOs and MSOs (including TREA) came out strongly against it. Numerous members wrote the White House in opposition of the idea. Thank You to all members of TREA who wrote. Senate VA Committee Chairman Daniel Akaka (D-HI) released a public statement saying that the proposal would not get thorough his Committee. Then on Wednesday afternoon at a meeting with Veteran Service and Military Service Organizations (please see below) Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced that the White House had heard our objections and withdrew the proposal. This success so early in the term is very important. It shows that when we speak with one voice we will be heard and hopefully, listened to." END OF QUOTE

Lets hope the Administration finds other places to cut and leave the Military alone.

Grumpy

[MsgMills]

Sorry, but that's just it with this new President and his staff...I feel he and his staff are out to do anything possible to down size the Military. Plus do any other thing they can to take money from the Military programs we have on the table now...... I just don't trust this President as far as I can throw him.....

[DJD]

Grumpy,
I just watched the latest edition of "Presbo unplugged" and he stated that his adminstrations budget was going to invest money in the VA. More than any previous budget over the last 30 years. He said all americans would agree to take care of veterans as a top priority.
Sounds like another load of crap from these guys. Did you watch it? I'm sorry I just don't trust him.

[Grumpy]

Don, I don't trust them either, that is why I made the intial post. I realize that it is the job of people in any administration to make suggestions (like this one and the one to make us pay for Triecare) but when enough of these "money saving" suggestions are made SOME OF THEM PASS. Especially with this administration, we must make our thoughts known and our voices heard and the way to do that is to write letters, send emails to the government people (not the pass it on or delete ones), and join service organizations.

Grumpy

[Dave Stewart]

As usual we veterans must protect our benefits, this has been and unending fight since there were veterans. There is some waste in the VA program....just as there is some waste in any program...ie..I don't see paying for illnesses that are not service related or service connected for folks that were not medically retired or retired under normal guidelines. No doubt we are going to see our Tricare rates go up....this was a prime target under the Bush administration and will be under these guys.