Obama Sticking It To Veterans?

Sun Tzu · #1 03-16-2009, 10:18 PM

Reagardless of political affiliation or partisanship, everyone should be troubled by this. This is just plain wrong.

The American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for Treatment

WASHINGTON, March 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization says he is "deeply disappointed and concerned" after a meeting with President Obama today to discuss a proposal to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries. The Obama administration recently revealed a plan to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in such cases.

"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 harm's 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 America's veterans!"

Commander Rehbein was among a group of senior officials from veterans service organizations joining the President, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki and Steven Kosiak, the overseer of defense spending at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The group's early afternoon conversation at The White House was precipitated by a letter of protest presented to the President earlier this month. The letter, co-signed by Commander Rehbein and the heads of ten colleague organizations, read, in part, " There is simply no logical explanation for billing a veteran's personal insurance for care that the VA has a responsibility to provide. While we understand the fiscal difficulties this country faces right now, placing the burden of those fiscal problems on the men and women who have already sacrificed a great deal for this country is unconscionable."

Commander Rehbein reiterated points made last week in testimony to both House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees. It was stated then that The American Legion believes that the reimbursement plan would be inconsistent with the mandate that VA treat service-connected injuries and disabilities given that the United States government sends members of the armed forces into harm's way, and not private insurance companies. The proposed requirement for these companies to reimburse the VA would not only be unfair, says the Legion, but would have an adverse impact on service-connected disabled veterans and their families. The Legion argues that, depending on the severity of the medical conditions involved, maximum insurance coverage limits could be reached through treatment of the veteran's condition alone. That would leave the rest of the family without health care benefits. The Legion also points out that many health insurance companies require deductibles to be paid before any benefits are covered. Additionally, the Legion is concerned that private insurance premiums would be elevated to cover service-connected disabled veterans and their families, especially if the veterans are self-employed or employed in small businesses unable to negotiate more favorable across-the-board insurance policy pricing. The American Legion also believes that some employers, especially small businesses, would be reluctant to hire veterans with service-connected disabilities due to the negative impact their employment might have on obtaining and financing company health care benefits.

"I got the distinct impression that the only hope of this plan not being enacted," said Commander Rehbein, "is for an alternative plan to be developed that would generate the desired $540-million in revenue. The American Legion has long advocated for Medicare reimbursement to VA for the treatment of veterans. This, we believe, would more easily meet the President's financial goal. We will present that idea in an anticipated conference call with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel in the near future.

"I only hope the administration will really listen to us then. This matter has far more serious ramifications than the President is imagining," concluded the Commander.

gardenweasel · #2 03-17-2009, 12:47 PM

i read this on the net...and at first i just refused to believe it...it`s beyond the realm of possibility....wtf is he thinking?...

then it started to make some sense... we know his strategy is to put as many people on the government dole that he possibly can(with this potential new exception of the men and women who put their lives on the line to defend this country..lol)...but theres a method to this madness...

this has so many great aspects if you`re a military hating leftwing socialist...or for use as a lever to foist socialized medicine on the unsuspecting public...

yep,use it as a lever....what would be an alternative to making the vets pay for private insurance?.... socialized healthcare!..

and if that doesn`t work,at least you`ve stealthily down-sized the military...

think about it...if you are a young dude or dudess thinking about going into the military,it will be harder for active srvice folks and veterans to get private health insurance if the insurance companies know they might have to foot the bill if the soldier is wounded.....our recruiting numbers might dwindle as people realize the possibility that they might not be able to get private health insurance....or have to pay out the ass for it...

so,if you hate soldiers, if you hate the whole idea of a military(after being tutored by the rev, wrights and bill ayers of the world), this is a great ploy to weaken the military in the name of "budget savings."...

voila!..downsized military....

so...you either use it to get socialized/rationed healthcare(driving up those private healthcare prices) or downsize the military....it`s a win-win strategy(or he`s just freeing up some dough for acorn?....or,to fund his $900 million terrorism grant to the palestinians).....

if nothing else,it`s brilliant(in a sick sort of way).....

i'm going back to bed...wake me when sanity returns to 1600 pennsylvania avenue....

/rip van weasel..

smurphy · #3 03-17-2009, 01:01 PM

The actual article doesn't seem to support the title. Is the proposal simply to make private insurance companies pay up for injuries that their military clients incur?

Scott-Atlanta · #4 03-17-2009, 02:02 PM

its really kind of deceiving as to what this is about.

believe half of what you see and none of what you read.

RAYMOND · #5 03-17-2009, 04:28 PM

OBAMA IS GOING TO DESTROY THIS COUNTRY
UNTIL WHERE THERE NO COMING BACK

THANK SCOTTY

DEMORAT ARE THE WORST BREED OF HUMAN LIFE

Scott-Atlanta · #6 03-17-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAYMOND

OBAMA IS GOING TO DESTROY THIS COUNTRY
UNTIL WHERE THERE NO COMING BACK

THANK SCOTTY

DEMORAT ARE THE WORST BREED OF HUMAN LIFE

.................................................. .............

RAYMOND

I am appalled at your thinking

your the same one that said you would stand behind your President no matter who it was.

And at the first turn you throw him under the bus about 10 times now.

Everything is going to be OK

Scott-Atlanta · #7 03-17-2009, 05:25 PM

The Times They Are A-Changin'

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'.
.................................................. ..........

Scott-Atlanta · #8 03-17-2009, 05:26 PM

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.

.................................................. .........

RAYMOND

I think Dylan was singing directly to you in this
part.

gardenweasel · #9 03-17-2009, 06:42 PM

""The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization says he is "deeply disappointed and concerned" after a meeting with President Obama today to discuss a proposal to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries. The Obama administration recently revealed a plan to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in such cases.....

i think the v.a. has been doing this for awhile with regard to treatment for non-combat related conditions....something called "tricare"...

if you have private insurance, it gets billed first.....

but not regarding military related injuries and issues....

can you imagine a veteran with war injuries or issues trying to compete for a job with a non-veteran with no issues?....with the company having to provide insurance for the employee they choose to hire?...

think they choose the vet with pre-existing war-related conditions?...he`s screwed..

it can`t work...that`s why we need(you got it).....UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE!..

smart...very shrewd..

btw....and this is on the front burner....

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/wa...ts_in_weapons/

not exactly fans of the military...oh shit...

hedgehog0721 · #10 03-17-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAYMOND

OBAMA IS GOING TO DESTROY THIS COUNTRY
UNTIL WHERE THERE NO COMING BACK

THANK SCOTTY

DEMORAT ARE THE WORST BREED OF HUMAN LIFE

Demorats

Raymond

100% agree sir

Tcas · #11 03-17-2009, 08:52 PM

we are in deep chit

gardenweasel · #12 03-17-2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tcas

we are in deep chit

ouch...that`s gonna leave a mark.....

/"i think i`ll f-ck with their healthcare"....

djv · #13 03-17-2009, 09:35 PM

I didn't here anyone complain when he gave everyone a rasie. Or the ok to go outside Vets hospitals to get best care possiable. If the area they lived in didnt have good Vet care. Helps them stay closer to home. In real terms many Vets hae gotten bad care. Just maybe this is a good idea.

Scott-Atlanta · #14 03-17-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djv

I didn't here anyone complain when he gave everyone a rasie. Or the ok to go outside Vets hospitals to get best care possiable. If the area they lived in didnt have good Vet care. Helps them stay closer to home. In real terms many Vets hae gotten bad care. Just maybe this is a good idea.

.................................................. ...........

i know a few vets that hate to go to the VA

for any reason.

gardenweasel · #15 03-17-2009, 10:08 PM

i don`t know how many on here are employers...but if an employee gets injured or killed while working,the employer must have insurance (which the government requires the employer to pay for) to cover that...

my question is,what makes the government different?..

these brave men and women in our military are government employees.....if they are hurt or killed on the job, you`d think the employer (the u.s. gov`t)is responsible.....

we`re spending like drunken sailors on banks and auto companies but the gov`t wants to hang our protectors out to dry?....

i hope this doesn`t happen...obama had better smarten up...the gov`t needs to follow it`s own rules...not perpetrate theft from private insurers to cover it`s own obligation....

also on the to-do list... ...o`s going to cut funding for the "federal flight deck officers" program(pilots being able to "carry" on the flight deck of commercial carriers)......

http://www.usacarry.com/forums/2nd-a...ight-deck.html

that's just f'in swell....he's going to release the terrorists from gitmo, take away pilot`s firearms, and we`ll still have to take off our shoes at the airport(thankfully, i don`t fly much anymore)......

saint · #16 03-17-2009, 10:31 PM

Wait, i don't understand. In his campaign OBama promised to "restore America's sacred trust with our veterans".

Well that seems like a pretty good way to do it. "Son, you were injured fighting for our country. Here's your bill"

How anyone in their right mind, regardless of political affiliation, can defend this in any sort whatsoever is mind-blowing.

bryanz · #17 03-18-2009, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saint

Wait, i don't understand. In his campaign OBama promised to "restore America's sacred trust with our veterans".

Well that seems like a pretty good way to do it. "Son, you were injured fighting for our country. Here's your bill"

How anyone in their right mind, regardless of political affiliation, can defend this in any sort whatsoever is mind-blowing.

I guess this subject is way over your pay grade. No one has been denied anything yet. This thing is in early negotiations, all that is going on is who will pay for what. I find it ironic, all of this concern from the extreme right for the Troops. Where was the concern when Walter Reid was exposed ? Where was the concern when Our Men & Woman didn't have the best body armor or armored vehicles. Let me ask you a question ? What was the death benefit for military killed in combat when this war started ? Why was there a need for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund under bush/cheney/rumsfeld ? The crowd at these two gatherings is totally different. Different places, different times, different level of personal. Obviousally the pep rallay was pulled off. I'm not saying Obama will be any better than the last crew but : He & They have a long way to sink before the reach the depth of the abyss of the last administration !~http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/editorials/098

bryanz · #18 03-18-2009, 01:36 AM

Starting @ the top... There is a lot of bullshit in this thread and you guys know it... I'll wake you when it's over. The fake outrage because of what may happen... Forget what just happened the last 8 fucking years !~ PLEASE !!!!~ This is what you miss ? This is what you want to go back to ??? http://crooksandliars.com/2006/12/15...-a-later-time/.....YEA RIGHT !`

bryanz · #19 03-18-2009, 01:39 AM

think about it, you F-------- I--------!!!!!!http://democrats.senate.gov/dpc/hear...38/batiste.pdf

bryanz · #20 03-18-2009, 01:49 AM

Even if you are partisan, can you be as dumb as this shit in this thread ? I can understand partisanism, but stupidity ?

bryanz · #21 03-18-2009, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gardenweasel

i don`t know how many on here are employers...but if an employee gets injured or killed while working,the employer must have insurance (which the government requires the employer to pay for) to cover that...

my question is,what makes the government different?..

these brave men and women in our military are government employees.....if they are hurt or killed on the job, you`d think the employer (the u.s. gov`t)is responsible.....

we`re spending like drunken sailors on banks and auto companies but the gov`t wants to hang our protectors out to dry?....

i hope this doesn`t happen...obama had better smarten up...the gov`t needs to follow it`s own rules...not perpetrate theft from private insurers to cover it`s own obligation....

also on the to-do list... ...o`s going to cut funding for the "federal flight deck officers" program(pilots being able to "carry" on the flight deck of commercial carriers)......

http://www.usacarry.com/forums/2nd-a...ight-deck.html

that's just f'in swell....he's going to release the terrorists from gitmo, take away pilot`s firearms, and we`ll still have to take off our shoes at the airport(thankfully, i don`t fly much anymore)......

the government feeds billions to ins companies...what is the relationship between gov and ins companies ? without government mandates what would ins companies be ? They are partners already... (SEE) AIG ....it's morning in America .... wake up .....hellow... is anyone home ? http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...07/ai_n9409896.... Your a smart guy right ? YEA RIGHT !!!`

bryanz · #22 03-18-2009, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gardenweasel

i don`t know how many on here are employers...but if an employee gets injured or killed while working,the employer must have insurance (which the government requires the employer to pay for) to cover that...

my question is,what makes the government different?..

these brave men and women in our military are government employees.....if they are hurt or killed on the job, you`d think the employer (the u.s. gov`t)is responsible.....

we`re spending like drunken sailors on banks and auto companies but the gov`t wants to hang our protectors out to dry?....

i hope this doesn`t happen...obama had better smarten up...the gov`t needs to follow it`s own rules...not perpetrate theft from private insurers to cover it`s own obligation....

also on the to-do list... ...o`s going to cut funding for the "federal flight deck officers" program(pilots being able to "carry" on the flight deck of commercial carriers)......

http://www.usacarry.com/forums/2nd-a...ight-deck.html

that's just f'in swell....he's going to release the terrorists from gitmo, take away pilot`s firearms, and we`ll still have to take off our shoes at the airport(thankfully, i don`t fly much anymore)......

what are we talking about here ? 2 million , diverted from this program.... What about the billions diverted here.....http://www.awolbush.com/

RAYMOND · #23 03-18-2009, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gardenweasel

ouch...that`s gonna leave a mark.....

/"i think i`ll f-ck with their healthcare"....

Scott-Atlanta · #24 03-18-2009, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gardenweasel

i

needs to follow it`s own rules...not perpetrate theft from private insurers to cover it`s own obligation....

.................................................. ...............

now your protecting insurance companys.

The biggest crooked bastids in America.

damn

Scott-Atlanta · #25 03-18-2009, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryanz

the government feeds billions to ins companies...what is the relationship between gov and ins companies ? without government mandates what would ins companies be ? They are partners already... (SEE) AIG ....it's morning in America .... wake up .....hellow... is anyone home ? http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...07/ai_n9409896.... Your a smart guy right ? YEA RIGHT !!!`

.................................................. ...............

bryanz

you wonderful magnificent bastid

gardenweasel · #26 03-18-2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryanz

the government feeds billions to ins companies...what is the relationship between gov and ins companies ? ? http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...07/ai_n9409896.... Your a smart guy right ? YEA RIGHT !!!`
what are we talking about here ? 2 million , diverted from this program.... What about the billions diverted here....

the question is,"what is the relationship between the government and it`s military"?...

what is more important than our military?..if not for them(the kosars,the dtbs,the marines)your mangy ass wouldn`t be sitting in the comfort of your mother`s basement on her computer defending this garbage....

btw...it`s over 500 million,walnut brain...,..

you don`t feather your pet constituency`s s nest off the backs and blood of our military... period!

"hellow"?(wtf is that?...lol)

/next time bring your "brain wanted" sign...

scottie:"now your protecting insurance companys.

The biggest crooked bastids in America.

damn"...

everybody that works for a living is a crook to you guys... ...:rolleyes

Scott-Atlanta · #27 03-18-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gardenweasel

everybody that works for a living is a crook to you guys... ...:rolleyes

.................................................. ...........

if you put insurance companys as the good guys who work for a living, your on the bus to hopeless town.

They are what is wrong with our healthcare. Their money grubbing crazy ass greedy ways.

But you just blame Obama

well at least we dont have Rush hedgehog to kick around anymore.

saint · #28 03-18-2009, 04:41 PM

I fully agree, thanks for your contributions

rusty · #29 03-18-2009, 06:18 PM

This policy is dead wrong.Obamas way off on this one.Why doesnt he give the option to either go to the VA or primary doctor free of charge.

And dont give me no "whos paying for it us"
Smoke another O

Axle · #30 03-18-2009, 10:17 PM

I receive medication from the VA for a combat disability I have......and I have to pay a co-pay....been on it for about two years and Paying that co-pay every frickin' month.....