Coburn goes after Military Retirees

Navy Times | Vanity

[OldGoatCPO]

Navy Times is reporting that Senator Tom Coburn (R) has a plan to cut DOD by spending by $43 billion. His plan will force retirees off TRICARE Prime (HMO) and into TRICARE Standard (PPO). Then his plan is to raise the fees for standard so high (total out of pocket cost $7,500 annually) "working age" retirees (under 65) will opt out for mythical cheaper medical insurance from some as of yet unidentified employer. While I admit TRICARE Prime is cheap none of Coburn's figures add in Dental, separate plans under TRICARE. As a retiree my wife and I pay out nearly $6,000 per year now! We are on TRICARE Prime. Coburn lives in a ivory tower ignoring the physical damage to veterans. Where does a 20 year grunt E8 find work? I know one who works at a gym and is happy to have a job. I know dozens of "working age" vets who cannot hold down a full time job. What does Coburn's medical plan look like. I suppose traitors like him and his fellow Senators have same issues with osteo arthritis most 40 year old vets have. He got it from too many handshakes and tipping too many cocktails. Will we have to pay more, of course. But with unemployment so high among vets, average enlisted retirees will be forced to pay out 25% or more of their retirement into health care until age 65 when we will pay out 33% or more.

[driftdiver]

so unexpected

[MSF BU]

It would be interesting to know when the last member of the Coburn family served in uniform. Perhaps he’s ignorant of the commitments made to service members, especially enlisted soldiers, during reenlistment briefings. I know, I sat through them both as a commander and staff officer. Health Care after retirement was specifically used as an incentive to reenlist, at least in Army briefings. I don’t imagine that Sailors, Airmen or Marines heard a briefing that was much different.

[momincombatboots]

I am a vet, not retired from service, but with the same physical problems from joints pounding pavement. I know many vets who did not transition out and I have not been 100 percent successful myself. Many of the folks I served with are pushing 20 plus years of service. Most of them plan to stay and feather their retirements, reallistically understanding the economy can no longer support people retiring at 40 and 45. Retiring that young was an unrealistic promise I suppose. Just like retiring at 55. I hope you all are able to plan knowing you cannot trust government. Coburn is not usually just swinging wildly. Most non government retorted spend much more than 30 to 35 percent. I know a lot of retirees that spend closer to 50 percent. (their figures, not mine).

[OldGoatCPO]

Hopefully you have been to the VA if you are having problems. Convoluted system but once you are in the system works, sort of. Here is the problem if you enlisted as I did in the 70’s you were promised a specific retirement. Was it unrealistic maybe today, but than it was the only way to keep people. I retired in 2009, I was made promises in return I stayed. But now to Coburn and Gates, I am a burden on the system. This is the same plan Gates presented Congress only to have it rejected. Why, because as unrealistic as it may be Congress recognized it's obligation. Although they did raise our co-pays and premiums. Coburn is trying to force Gates plan in with the budget cuts. I did the years, I provided the service in now it's time for me to get the benefits. Ask Coburn how much in fed dollars went to fund private union pension plans. Ask Coburn what his policy looks like. Ask Coburn if he is willing to pay the per engage increase on his insurance as he wants to increase mine. Ask Coburn I his “back to black” plan cuts funds to ALL foreign countries before he ATTACKs our countries veterans. Coburn’s true colors are showing he shows the same disregard and disdain for vets as did Gates.

[OldGoatCPO]

Sorry for spelling errors using phone my computer crashed. Should not of gotten PO’d and hit keyboard.

[CharlyFord]

In the not too distant future, the baby boomers are going to learn first hand why the Native Americans learned not to trust the U.S. Government.

[notaliberal]

Hey Colburn: How about going after freebies given to the illegals—[free health care, free education, section 8 housing] you BA*TURD!

[Sarajevo]

This jerkoff (Coburn) sounds more like a Dem. He needs to have his liberal a$$ kicked.

[radioone]

Considering it’s the Washington Post, this appears to be a fair assessment of the Coburn Plan.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/tom-coburns-cuts-militarys-tricare-prime-health-care-program-targeted/2011/07/20/gIQAtZl6WI_story.html

[blueunicorn6]

Fine. Right after they lay off 500,000 federal GS employees.

[OldGoatCPO]

Coburn is lying pure and simply. I was not injured in combat but as every vet knows after 30 years I have some serious medical problems related to service. While I do work, my job is being looked at for budget cuts. It took 8 months to find that job after retirement. I cannot leave TRICARE it is the only guarantee I will have insurance for my wife. The VA will take care of me 100% but not my wife. Why do so many of us gravitate to government work? Because after retirement past age 40 we are still employable. Has Coburn been following the news, does he know how hard it is for a man over 50 to find work.

[momincombatboots]

A year ago I would not have believed Coburn would move to the middle, or maybe he was always on the lookout for wasteful spending. He has changed over the last months. So I hope you get by, thank you for many faithful years of service. I guess they must cut somewhere... Any suggestions?

[OldGoatCPO]

I not sure how you meant your comment but I do not see my benefits as wasteful spending. I accepted the life I lived the stress, running physical fitness tests at 50. I accepted the time away from my family. I accepted the OA, the other physical issue and in return I expected a good retirement. Now people have decided what I worked so hard for is a waste of their tax dollars. It was not a waste when unemployment was 5% and the Corps could not find recruits. It was not a waste when the Iraq invaded Kuwait or the Terrorist downed the towers. After years of giving to my country now I am accused of being wasteful spending. Coburn has been in Senate long enough to just as responsible as Reid for this budget crisis. Yes I have suggestions cut EPA, HHS, FCC, IRS and Education, College loans and welfare.