Posted on 11/07/2009 1:38:00 PM PST by Former Military Chick
Bill Would Restrict Veterans’ Health Care Options
Buyer and McKeon Offer Amendments to Protect Veterans and TRICARE Beneficiaries
Washington, D.C. — Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Steve Buyer and House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Howard P. “Buck” McKeon offered three amendments to the Pelosi healthcare bill that would protect America’s Veterans and military TRICARE beneficiaries. The healthcare legislation, which is expected to be voted on in the full House in the coming days limits veteran’s and service member’s health care choices and places veterans and military health care unnecessarily at risk by not clearly excluding military and veterans health care from the requirements of the bill.
“In addition to being fundamentally opposed to a sweeping government takeover of health care, I also strongly object to the bill that was unveiled today because it would limit veterans’ ability to choose a health care provider,” said Rep. Buyer. “The liberty and freedom upon which our nation is founded was paid for through the sacrifices of veterans, and I find it outrageous that the government veterans defended would presume to dictate where and how they obtain health care. This is not the type of government veterans have fought and died for.”
“America must remain vigilant in our efforts to provide the necessary support to our Veterans, military retirees, and current military personnel,” said Rep. McKeon. “The Democrat healthcare bill that will be voted on in the coming days creates unnecessary uncertainty for our Veterans and military families that their healthcare options will be unfairly limited. Our amendments make certain—in the strongest terms possible—that our nation’s heroes will continue to have options, while protecting their rights to maintain their current high-quality options if they so choose.”
Reps. Buyer and McKeon offered the following three amendments to ensure that our veterans, servicemembers, and their families are not hurt by the bill:
· Buyer/McKeon Amendment #001: Would add a new subsection to provide explicitly that veterans enrolled in the VA health care and TRICARE beneficiaries may choose additional health insurance through the “Health Insurance Exchange”, along with care provided by VA or DOD.
The bill reads: “(a) ACCESS TO COVERAGE. – In accordance with this section, all individuals are eligible to obtain coverage through enrollment in an Exchange-participating health benefits plan offered through the Health Insurance Exchange unless such individuals are enrolled in another qualified health benefits plan or certain other acceptable coverage.” [page 156, line 11-16].
Under H.R. 3962, VA health care and TRICARE would be deemed "qualified" coverage. The problem with the language is that it is ambiguous and can be interpreted to disqualify individuals enrolled in VA health care or TRICARE from participating in the exchange.
This amendment was accepted at the Energy and Commerce Committee markup, but the Democratic Leadership failed to include it in H.R. 3962.
· Buyer/McKeon Amendment #002: Would ensure that the authority of the Secretary of VA and Secretary of DOD could never be challenged or obstructed by any provision in the bill or by a secretary or commissioner from another part of government.
As currently written, H.R. 3962 would provide that the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of VA retain sole authority over their respective health care systems only with respect to Subtitle A, the Health Insurance Exchange. This was the original Buyer Amendment adopted in Energy and Commerce Committee. However, it was limited to “Subtitle A” because of germaneness requirements. The intent was that as the Committee bills were merged, the language would be revised to encompass the entire bill.
The section-by-section analysis on the Energy and Commerce Committee Website states that Section 311 “makes clear that nothing in this act interferes with the Department of Veterans Affairs or Department of Defense’s existing authorities.”
In fact, this description is incorrect and our amendment would provide that the bill conform to the website’s assertion.
· Buyer/McKeon Amendment #003: Would amend section 342 of the bill to allow individuals enrolled in VA health care and TRICARE to be eligible for affordable tax credits.
Currently, H.R. 3962 defines an “affordable credit eligible individual” as one who is not enrolled in acceptable coverage – which would exclude individuals enrolled in VA health care or TRICARE.
When Buyer finished his one minute speech HUGE APPLAUSE!!
Waxman addressed Buyer "we allow veterans to keep their benefits but if they want to go to the exchange they can".
Then the speaker dressed down the republicans and told them to abide by the rules, all the GOP wanted was the answer "who was going to protect veterans!"
Pelosi said along with the leadership this would be addressed but alas last night his amendments were voted down in the rules committee. This is the most outrageous group of thugs that I have witnessed when it comes to the majority sitting as the gate keeper of laws of this fine country.
By the way MR WAXMAN I am so grateful you allow us to keep our benefits a right we earned serving this fine country.
Pelosi is possessed. That’s the only way to explain her. Get an exorcist, a good one, and be prepared for a fight.
I said years ago, that eventually, in the end, all we would have left is the retirement check. Now with the scum sucking pig in the White House, spending like a drunk muzzie terrorist, I doubt there will be money for that. So, enjoy old age, cause we ain’t gonna get a damned dime for the service we did.
The end game is to use taxes and regulation to force everyone onto the public "option".
I knew from the beginning that the military folks would be forced into this hell hole.
Pelosi is mentally ill.
In the event you are currently serving, know somebody who has served this is amazing and again with the way this is being pushed through nobody would know about it and this is why they are breaking their word and will not publish the final bill on the web for 72 hours.
If you get a chance pull up the C-SPAN video it is just amazing.
It’s bad. Take names and never forget.
No...Pelosi is EVIL.
My father-law is also retired Army, he has been going round and round with hearing aides, first set defective, then the second defective and it is now going on a year.
Oh the great military health care we have, and of course let’s not fix the military/veterans care let’s just increase the governments involvment and give it to everyone.
Thank you for your service.
Pelosi is an idiot...nothing more or less. You give her way to much credit.
When I called my local congress critter’s what they always said to me “it will not decrease our current care” so I guess they knew what they were fighting against and it is an uphill battle.
Healthcare opportunities for all folks oh yeah not our bravest to have choice. WOW
oathkeepers.org
But we’ll be able to send soldiers who fought in the illegal war to Muslim shrinks to “get their heads right.” :)
Oh, I know who has been naughty and nice, better terms for posting, and they will find pink slips next November. When I am certain my local congress critters are safe for reelection I going one state over to ensure that Skelton does not return and I am doing this for personal reason’s.
I HAVE JUST, ON ANOTHER THREAD, http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2381078/posts WELCOMED HOME A YOUNG MARINE FRESHLY BACK FROM IRAQ. THIS IS WHAT HE COMES HOME TO? THERE IS A PLACE IN HELL FOR THESE !@^%#$@$#s.
I swear to heaven, hate is supposed to be a sin, but I just can’t help it.
Hating evil is not sin.
Oh, GOD!!! They announced that bam and his mate are going to attend the Memorial at Fort Hood. Somebody help me!!!
YES!!! I am hysterical!!!!!!!!!!!
How wonderful to weclome home our finest this way, FR, has always stepped up for our service member’s.
Having said that, when you see what the House is doing, when you listen to Rep Buyer and encourage that you do, and the response from the dem’s and the gallery you feel like saying &^%* and %^$%* and wanting to sling something into the TV, MestaMachine I understand your anger.
Yes, there is a thread, Obama will go to the memorial, while we do not support this Prez, they do attend events like this, Oklahoma bombing comes to mind.
My problem, Obama has used these events as a photo op so one just can’t believe he is going there for the grief and compassion of those at the installation.
Bush and his wife went yesterday, asked that it not be be covered by the press, that this was personal, and afterall they live about 30 miles from Ft. Hood.
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