Large Scale Central

President’s Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for Treatment

Quote:
... The fact that this was even considered, is nothing less than a slap in the face on all our military that Obama now assumes to command. ...
I haven't read the plan, and since it's been withdrawn, the intricacies of it (and what it *really* would have done) are moot. My question is this: How is Obama's alleged contempt for our vets any worse than that shown by the previous administration through the lack of any kind of consideration whatsoever to the VA program, reflected in crumbling infrastructure, inadequate resources, substandard care, etc .? Bush 43 was widely criticized on both sides of the aisle for his lack of attention to vets' needs (to wit, both Obama and McCain made proper care for our returning vets a campaign issue). This plan may not have been the best way of handling the issue, but doesn't it illustrate that someone's at least looking at the problem and searching for creative solutions instead of sweeping it under the carpet as if it doesn't exist?

There are many, many cases where completely unworkable ideas have been floated merely as a means take the public’s pulse on an issue and start a dialog. Once the conversation is started, true ideas can be put forth.

Later,

K

What kevin said.

It’s also true that Obama’s budget includes massive increases for veterans:

"Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki achieved a historical first Tuesday by introducing an executive budget for the VA, which offers $1.2 billion more money than requested by the Independent Budget of veterans support organizations.

Speaking before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Shinseki received praise for the Obama Administration’s proposal to increase the VA’s budget from $98 billion this fiscal year to $113 billion for 2010. It is the largest one-year increase ever made by a president for the VA."

Is that a slap in the face as well?

Kevin Strong said:
Quote:
... The fact that this was even considered, is nothing less than a slap in the face on all our military that Obama now assumes to command. ...
I haven't read the plan, and since it's been withdrawn, the intricacies of it (and what it *really* would have done) are moot. My question is this: How is Obama's alleged contempt for our vets any worse than that shown by the previous administration through the lack of any kind of consideration whatsoever to the VA program, reflected in crumbling infrastructure, inadequate resources, substandard care, etc .? Bush 43 was widely criticized on both sides of the aisle for his lack of attention to vets' needs (to wit, both Obama and McCain made proper care for our returning vets a campaign issue). This plan may not have been the best way of handling the issue, but doesn't it illustrate that someone's at least looking at the problem and searching for creative solutions instead of sweeping it under the carpet as if it doesn't exist?

There are many, many cases where completely unworkable ideas have been floated merely as a means take the public’s pulse on an issue and start a dialog. Once the conversation is started, true ideas can be put forth.

Later,

K


Both were/are wrong, Kevin. I’m not advocating for Bush but condemning this idea of sticking-it-to the veteran who has already given so much.

mike omalley said:
What kevin said.

It’s also true that Obama’s budget includes massive increases for veterans:

"Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki achieved a historical first Tuesday by introducing an executive budget for the VA, which offers $1.2 billion more money than requested by the Independent Budget of veterans support organizations.

Speaking before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Shinseki received praise for the Obama Administration’s proposal to increase the VA’s budget from $98 billion this fiscal year to $113 billion for 2010. It is the largest one-year increase ever made by a president for the VA."

Is that a slap in the face as well?


The increase is necessary because of the high number of returning veterans injured. It’s in the numbers, and has to do with the lower value of the dollar. If the administration would add an additional $300billion to the $98billion, then we could expect better quality of care. (My estimate only.)

I’m still wondering if everyone who serves in the military, regardless of the length of their service, is entitled to VA health care for life. Is that the case? I honestly don’t know.

mike omalley said:
I'm still wondering if everyone who serves in the military, regardless of the length of their service, is entitled to VA health care for life. Is that the case? I honestly don't know.
Mike, only people that have been injured, or contacted an illness while serving in the military and/or are on compensation/diasbility from the military can be eligible....

However, once they have been accepted for VA care, then they are eligible to use the VA for all health matters…

At least, that’s how the VA explained it to us, back in '06…

Andy Clarke said:
Actually, when I went to basic training, back in 1969, I was charged for the initial issue of uniforms, along with all the other personnel... My pay in basic training had the uniform issue costs deducted from it...

Additional uniforms requirements that were required to perform a specific job, were supplied by the unit I was assigned to…

Not sure if it’s changed, or not, but, I will find out in about 7 weeks, when my kid gets out of basic training…


Andy, you are only partially correct. Yes, you were charged for your initial seabag, or whatever it is called in the Army. However, a nanosecond before that withdrawal was made, an equal amount of money was deposited in your account called “Initial Uniform Allowance.” Thereafter, an amount of money was deposited in your paycheck called “Uniform Allowance,” that was equal to the cost of your seabag, divided into monthly amounts over three or so years, to replace the normal wear and tear of the uniform.

Mike,

Here is a summary listing of VA Benefits

http://www.vba.va.gov/VBA/benefits/factsheets/general/21-00-1.pdf

It was established by Lincoln to take care of the returning soldiers, their widows and orphans from the War Between the States and has progressed from then until now.

Steve, what I got for a ““Uniform Allowance”” didn’t even cover the cost of on fatigue shirt, for a year… I wasn’t Army, I was Air Force… Not sure if the different branches did things differently back then, but I am assuming that they did… <and yes, I know all about assume>… :slight_smile:

Andy Clarke said:
Steve, what I got for a ""Uniform Allowance"" didn't even cover the cost of on fatigue shirt, for a year... I wasn't Army, I was Air Force... Not sure if the different branches did things differently back then, but I am assuming that they did.... ........ :)
Andy, maybe that is because the Air Force spent all of its' money on clubs and bowling alleys. :P
Steve Featherkile said:
Andy Clarke said:
Steve, what I got for a ""Uniform Allowance"" didn't even cover the cost of on fatigue shirt, for a year... I wasn't Army, I was Air Force... Not sure if the different branches did things differently back then, but I am assuming that they did.... ........ :)
Andy, maybe that is because the Air Force spent all of its' money on clubs and bowling alleys. :P
Steve, you say that, like that's a bad thing........... :)
Andy Clarke said:
Steve Featherkile said:
Andy Clarke said:
Steve, what I got for a ""Uniform Allowance"" didn't even cover the cost of on fatigue shirt, for a year... I wasn't Army, I was Air Force... Not sure if the different branches did things differently back then, but I am assuming that they did.... ........ :)
Andy, maybe that is because the Air Force spent all of its' money on clubs and bowling alleys. :P
Steve, you say that, like that's a bad thing........... :)
Good heavens, NO! Where do you think I spent my off duty hours in Okinawa?

I even played football for the Kadena Falcons. I managed to P.O. both the Navy and the Marines over that. I was a Navy Hospital Corpsman, assigned to a Marine Corps Harrier Squadron, stationed on an Air Force Base. I figured I could write my own rules. And did. :lol:

David, I refer you to the second-to-last paragraph in the original article you cited:

Quote:
... “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.
The original plan seems to have been put forth exactly as I had surmised--a conversation starter. I.E, here's the problem, here's a solution. Let's hear your ideas as to how we can do this better. As is often the case, merely ringing the dinner bell is insufficient to get people to come in from outside. Let them smell what's on the table, and they'll come running.

It seems to me to be another example of the administration trying to find solutions to (dare I say) save the taxpayers’ money. When money’s tight, nothing can be viewed as inviolate.

Later,

K

Kevin, how dare you hijack this thread back to its’ original topic? :lol:

Okinawa was a great place, spent 3 years there, 83-86…

I’ll hi-jack it back.
I’m a Viet Nam vet.
My dad was a WWII vet. He died in a regular hospital.
Neither one of us, and many like us will not step one foot inside a Vets hospital!
Very few vets I know go to a vets hospital.
Why?
The vets hospital here in my area is practically that: A veterinary hospital. You are treated like 2nd class.
People die out in the parking lot, because they refuse to let them enter.
It’s a long story, going back when I needed their services after I got out in the 60’s. I left there and went to a public hospital and was taken care of immediately. And I had no insurance at the time.
Unless they have decided to treat Vets much better lately–f%$%^ the vet’s hospital in my town.
If they have decided to treat vets with dignity, then I apologize.

John Bouck said:
I'll hi-jack it back. I'm a Viet Nam vet. My dad was a WWII vet. He died in a regular hospital. Neither one of us, and many like us will not step one foot inside a Vets hospital! Very few vets I know go to a vets hospital. Why? The vets hospital here in my area is practically that: A veterinary hospital. You are treated like 2nd class. People die out in the parking lot, because they refuse to let them enter. It's a long story, going back when I needed their services after I got out in the 60's. I left there and went to a public hospital and was taken care of immediately. And I had no insurance at the time. Unless they have decided to treat Vets much better lately--f%$%^ the vet's hospital in my town. If they have decided to treat vets with dignity, then I apologize.
Welcome Home Brother! I Corp 196th LIB RVN 1971-72

I use the VA system here. It is difficult, at best to navigate and get appointments as of late. The place is full of 20 and 30 somethings, IAVA guys. I was able to get two of my uncles and an old Maur-ene Captain friend into the system before they died, for some of the entitlements they never took advantage of after being hassled when they first came home in 1946-47.

The plan I believe that would work better than a separate Veterans Administration Health Care System, is to make the existing private health care system available to vets, and the military picks up the tab for our care.