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Newsmax.com - Obama to Bill Combat Wounded for Medical Care (http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/obama_vet_healthcare/2009/03/17/192675.html?s=al&promo_code=7C4B-1 - broken link)
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!"
Yes, there are contextual errors. The insurance industry needs to be regulated, and this proposal applies to private insurance companies. The proposal would also guarantee no increase of premiums paid by veterans.
The money has to come from somewhere. If the premiums of veterans won't be raised, what's the problem? And how strange for veterans to be fighting on behalf of insurance companies--in this age of AIG.
MovingForward, I think you're confused. The idea of this game is to post links that support your own arguments - not the other guy's.
It's late, and I'm lazy, so I'll just cut and paste from your links:
Shinseki received a warm welcome when he presented the budget outline to the Senate and House veterans' affairs committees. But he also got a string of strong warnings from committee members over a cost-saving proposal that Shinseki conceded is under study. The administration is considering charging veterans' health insurance plans earned through civilian employment for VA's costs in treating service-connected injuries or ailments.
"VA's sacred duty is to care for veterans injured in honorable service to our nation, and the department should not turn to wounded warriors' private insurance to pay for combat injures," said Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii. "Under my chairmanship, the Veterans' Affairs Committee will not advance any such legislation."
Shinseki emphasized that this is only "a consideration" and not yet part of Obama's budget request. But members of the veterans' committees wanted Shinseki to know they won't support the proposal.
Shinseki said the issue is solely about financing, and not about continuing to deliver superior care. "That is not discussable," Shinseki said.
The president was sympathetic to the needs of veterans, Gorman said, but insisted that the insurance companies are getting away with not paying for anything.
"I could not believe that anybody would ever think that Great West or Prudential or Aetna or any insurance company has an obligation to take care of the men and women who have service connected disabilities. None of those insurance companies…put us into harm's way and shouldn't be held responsible for health care," Robertson said.
This scumbag administration saw an income stream they thought they could steal - they thought wrong!
Perhaps this was part of his downsizing the US military plan in order to be able to afford to make his civilian national security force? My dad and I would be very upset if this passes since we both have service connected injuries.
The money has to come from somewhere. If the premiums of veterans won't be raised, what's the problem? And how strange for veterans to be fighting on behalf of insurance companies--in this age of AIG.
are you really that naive.
this is just more of obama trying to force socialized medicine on us.
If the veteran's premiums can't be raised, who pays for the extra cost of the healthcare? Everyone else who has a policy with these insurance companies. The VA can't even bill medicare for this coverage, why would private insurance have to pay?
He is doing everything in his power to price healthcare out of everyone's reach so that no one will complain when the gov't takes over.
I really hope he doesn't expect the military to back him now...
The money has to come from somewhere. If the premiums of veterans won't be raised, what's the problem? And how strange for veterans to be fighting on behalf of insurance companies--in this age of AIG.
Who says that the premiums of veterans won't be raised? Do you not think employers that pay for a large portion of the premiums won't discriminate against veterans because they will be responsible for their insurance?
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