Posted on 03/18/2009 11:54:39 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The Obama administration is ushering in the largest expansion of government control of our personal lives in the history of this country. Our national debt is approaching $11 Trillion, an out of control, record breaking debt that is reaching the stratosphere. While this administration is ignoring the cost to the taxpayer of taking control of private businesses and forcing through universal health care that will increase our debt even more, they are simultaneously working on a bill that will require veterans to pay for treatment of combat-related injuries.
So, it appears that we will tax us into poverty to pay for 9,000 pet projects for our legislators, use the military to chauffeur Nancy Pelosi around, but we wont pay for veterans health care. Outraged? So are veterans groups.
The White House confirmed yesterday that the idea remains under consideration, and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and leaders of veterans groups are scheduled to meet tomorrow to discuss it further.
The proposal intended to save the Department of Veterans Affairs $530 million a year would authorize VA to bill private insurance companies for the treatment of injuries and medical conditions related to military service, such as amputations, post-traumatic stress disorder and other battle wounds. VA already pursues such third-party billing for conditions that are not service-related.
Veterans groups said the change would be an abrogation of the governments responsibility to care for the war wounded. And they expressed concern that the new policy would make employers less willing to hire veterans, for fear of the cost of insuring them, and that insurance benefits for veterans families would be jeopardized.
There are only a handful of our youth that have volunteered to protect our country. By doing this, they have been required to give up their freedom, their youth and in too many cases, their health. They do this while so many others have just gone on with their lives virtually oblivious to the fact that we are a nation at war, and making no sacrifices whatsoever in support of the Global War on Terrorism. We have thanked our Soldiers by basically ignoring them and the sacrifices they have made on our behalf. Now, this administration seems determined to slap them in the face by refusing government assistance with any health care needs they might have as a result of their willingness to do the heavy lifting for the country.
The American Legion reports that the President refused to hear opposing opinions:
It became apparent during our discussion today that the President intends to move forward with this unreasonable plan, said Commander David K. Rehbein of The American Legion. He says he is looking to generate $540-million by this method, but refused to hear arguments about the moral and government-avowed obligations that would be compromised by it.
The Commander, clearly angered as he emerged from the session said, This reimbursement plan would be inconsistent with the mandate to care for him who shall have borne the battle given that the United States government sent members of the armed forces into harms way, and not private insurance companies. I say again that The American Legion does not and will not support any plan that seeks to bill a veteran for treatment of a service connected disability at the very agency that was created to treat the unique need of Americas veterans!
I think what appalls me as much as anything about it is that this news comes out at the same time that Nancy Pelosi stands up in front of illegal aliens and gives a big speech about how its unAmerican to ask them to abide by American laws and come into the country legally. Illegal aliens get free health care. I think its time our Soldiers got a little leg up from our society.
Virtually every other aspect of our society is being socialized and the medical care of our military is being privatized. This is illogical and just plain outrageous.
So much of what this administration is doing is being done quickly, before people are aware its being done. The logic seems to be that once its done there is nothing people can do about it. If they get all the nasty stuff done on the front end of this administration, then they will have some time to make nice with the American people before they have to face the next election.
These huge bailouts and stimulous bills are about paying back political debt, not saving the economy. This is all about Obama and the Congress self interests, not the best interests of the American people, the country and certainly not our Men at Arms.
People need to know what is being done to our military men and women.
So a private is now going to apply to Blue Cross by telling them he may well be maimed and need treatment for life! Surely that won’t effect his premium! This is absolutely unbelievable...even for the radical, America hating left. Illegal aliens get free care but US soldiers have to pay for their own!!
Of course if your an illegal alien or a family making 80k on Schip you can get “free” healthcare at our expense.
Someone who has actually risked life and limb in Iraq and past wars gets the shaft. From a PR point of view I can’t believe even Obama is this stupid, unless of course it just a move to screw private health insurance and further the socialize healthcare agenda.
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