Private Insurance to pay for service-related health care?

The Burden of Battle by Oliver North – 20 Mar 09  

“…Had the administration’s despicable design succeeded, the burden on those wounded in the current war would have been unthinkable. The O-Team rescinded their shameful plot to make veterans pay for combat-related medical treatment only because Americans were repulsed by the idea…” 

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Obama Drops Controversial Health Care Plan for Wounded VeteransFoxNews – 18 Mar 09 

Background articles: 

Veterans Groups Blast Obama Plan for Private Insurance to Pay for Service-Related Health CareFoxNews – 17 Mar 09 

President Obama’s plan to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs for the treatment of troops injured in service has angered veterans groups who say the government has a moral obligation to pay for service-related medical care. 

The American Legion Strongly Opposed to President’s Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for TreatmentYahoo! – 16 Mar 09 

Update Vets condemn insurance planSeattle Times – 18 Mar 09 

“…Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., a senior member of both the Veterans Affairs and Budget committees, warned Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki last week that the idea would be ‘dead on arrival,’ and she vowed Tuesday that any budget containing the VA provision ‘is not going to pass.’ ”  

” ‘The VA has an obligation to pay for service-related care, and they should not be nickel-and-diming vets in the process,’ she said in an interview.” 

The DoD Spin: 

Caring for Veterans Is Matter of American Honor, Obama SaysDefenseLink – 16 Mar 09 

Contact: Congressional Email Directory – courtesy of webslingerz.com 

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[Name, address, phone] 

18 March 2009  

VIA FACSIMILE 

Open Letter to Sen. Patty Murray
 

Subject: Veterans Groups Blast Obama Plan for Private Insurance to Pay for Service-Related Health Care
 

 
 
Sen. Murray:
 
We certainly appreciate that you, as our Senator, have contacted Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gen. Eric Shinseki last week that this idea would be “dead on arrival.”

However, why is it that we must constantly defend veteran benefits and the VA budget, especially when the democrat-controlled Congress and President Obama freely, and often without even reading the entire bills, approve trillions of dollars of taxpayer money to bailout failing corporations, banking and insurance institutions?  And some of that TARP money is reportedly flowing to foreign banks and entities via AIG specifically.
 
This is an outrage in my opinion!  And to make matters worse, on 16 March, DefenseLink put out a news release entitled “Caring for Veterans Is Matter of American Honor, Obama Says” and Secretary Shinseki published an open letter entitled “Shinseki issues open letter to veterans” on 15 March by the Army Times.
 
Clearly the DoD and Secretary Shinseki were aware of this trial balloon about to hit the press, and I believe these releases were a preemptive move by the DoD and the Secretary to provide President Obama cover for his proposed VA private insurance plan.
 
 
Do you believe those of us that have served our country, honorably, are really that stupid?  That we cannot see the obvious?  And why is it that for the most part Democrats are the ones that are scrutinizing the VA and Defense budgets while they continue to give trillions of dollars to failing institutions that were often responsible for our present economic mess?
 
 
I await your response answering these specific questions in detail, and please, not another bulk mailing response.
 
 
Respectfully,
 
 
Roger Young – Vietnam veteran
Northwest Veterans Newsletter co-editor – http://northwestvets.com
 

 

  

About Roger Young

Roger served with A Troop, 3/17th Air Cav "Silver Spurs" as a Scout Crew Chief in Vietnam from '69 - '70.
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6 Responses to Private Insurance to pay for service-related health care?

  1. Roger Young says:

    Well gentlemen, if this doesn’t get you off you backside and raise your hackles, nothing will!
    More of the “change you can believe in” under the new administration that hides behind daily DoD releases stating how much he cares about military veterans.
    Frankly, I’m damned pissed! Let’s give free healthcare to illegal aliens while we screw the military veteran once again!
    Roger “Bear” Young

  2. Sarge says:

    I wholeheartedly agree with Roger. This is insanity at its best.
    Another factor not being mentioned is historically insurance companies DO NOT cover war related injuries or health issues.
    This will destroy our military and reduce moral to its lowest levels.
    Clearly this has a seperate agenda and I believe it is to push a National Health Care system.
    I have stated many times that the liberal left wanted to do away with the VA health Care system. They feel we veterans are getting an undeserved freebie that they can’t access. Their attitude is allow them the use of the VA for Free or do away with it.
    This is change we can believe in. Once again Veterans and anyone with a loved one in the military better step up on this one.
    If not ya deserve what you get. Personally I intend to fight this plan.
    Its a National Disgrace of the highest order. Not to mention dishonoring an historical sacred trust.
    The next step will be to take away disability compensation.
    Welcome to the world of Socialism!
    Fed up
    Sarge

  3. Roger Young says:

    Sarge has raised some excellent points above in my opinion. We best get off our rears and let our elected officials know how we feel about this proposal! Or we have nobody to blame but us!

  4. Roger Young says:

    After viewing the update this morning, I commend Sen. Murray and those on the Veterans Affairs Committee that have spoke out against this proposal.
    I believe this was a trial balloon by the Obama administration that MAY be dead on arrival, but we must all contact our elected officials to make certain this proposal goes nowhere!
    Why is it that we are constantly being forced to defend veteran benefits?
    Why is the VA and DoD under constant attack to trim their costs – particularly from Democrats – while we give TRILLIONS to failing industries and financial institutions without any apparent concern?

  5. Roger Young says:

    I found the Fox broadcast yesterday evening about Obama backing down interesting. Fox reported in the initial meetings with the Vet groups that Obama attempted to deflect the issue from honoring a commitment to veterans, to all about saving millions in his budget.
    Yes, he’s backed down for the moment, but we must remain FOREVER VIGILANT! And I believe the President owes all veterans a public apology!
    You may wish to view the following article by the Army Times at:
    http://armytimes.com/news/2009/03/military_vetsinsurance_reversal_031809w/
    We don’t need to hear how much the White House cares about veterans from Gibbs or Pelosi. We need to hear an apology from the President himself. Perhaps from one of his ongoing townhall meetings?
    I want to thank the American Legion and Fox for reporting on this issue. And thank my fellow veterans who took the time to contact their elected representatives.
    Roger “Bear” Young
    Northwest Veterans Newsletter co-editor

  6. Roger Young says:

    To: President Obama via fax
    President Obama,
    I urge you to make a PUBLIC apology to all military veterans who have served our nation with honor for your proposed legislation that would have billed private insurance for service-connected healthcare and/or disabilities.
    A simple statement by Gibbs and Speaker Pelosi announcing the termination of this proposal doesn’t cut it. If you can appear on Leno, and give commencement speeches, you should step before the microphone and apologize to ALL military veterans for even considering such a proposal. As Commander-In-Chief, especially during a time of war, you of all people should honor our nation’s long-standing commitment to veterans.
    Roger Young – Vietnam veteran
    [Phone, mailing address]

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