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

[stampede2873]

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

 

[General Warcock]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

haha, a huge story! But you know what, people in the U.S. just have no passion about anything like this. If you were to post an article about a 500 pound man eating hotdogs out of a trough then You Might get lucky and penetrate their minds, but this...well good luck.

Just look at the vets living homeless on the streets, or the ever expanding private prison industry! People do not care! They do not comprehend! They are helpless consuming drones!

 

[stampede2873]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

haha, a huge story! But you know what, people in the U.S. just have no passion about anything like this. If you were to post an article about a 500 pound man eating hotdogs out of a trough then You Might get lucky and penetrate their minds, but this...well good luck.

Just look at the vets living homeless on the streets, or the ever expanding private prison industry! People do not care! They do not comprehend! They are helpless consuming drones!

Unfortunately.... You are right. Maybe if Paris Hilton were to have a sextape with herself and a Veteran?? :dunno:

 

[pastor buddy]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

Just another way for the government to get more money from private individuals and companies. They're pretty good.

 

[Ace Boobtoucher]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

One more reason to elect someone else in four years.

 

[General Warcock]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

Unfortunately.... You are right. Maybe if Paris Hilton were to have a sextape with herself and a Veteran?? :dunno:

Good idea! Hey, maybe the porn industry could start filming some 'reality' gonzo with all those schizophrenic vets and garner the much needed attention the subject deserves.

Whatever happened to 'support the troops'? Does this only apply to 'support the troops who are killing for our unprecedented profit margins'?

...hmm

 

[Torre82]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

I'm actually inclined to agree with this. The VA spends massive amounts on veterans healthcare. I knew the spending was extraneous even before I met the last veteran I made friends with.. with all the vycodin, oxycontin and xanax he was getting for free, he became a pill dealer and made a killing off his free prescriptions. While that's perfectly fine in a capitalist way.. I just havent met an honest veteran. The military is like being incarcerated and behind bars. It halfway teaches you to respect authority, halfway teaches you to evade authority. In an economy like this? No free rides! You sign up to get shot at and ruin your body at the cost of possible long-term pain? There ya go.

 

[stampede2873]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

Good idea! Hey, maybe the porn industry could start filming some 'reality' gonzo with all those schizophrenic vets and garner the much needed attention the subject deserves.

Whatever happened to 'support the troops'? Does this only apply to 'support the troops who are killing for our unprecedented profit margins'?

...hmm

I was being sarcastic.

As for Veterans in general, they are always forgotten. I am ashamed by this. Combat Veterans faced great hardships and losses for this country and they are sometimes shunned or treated indifferent.

Your last comment... I'm not sure what your saying there. Could you elaborarte?

 

[stampede2873]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

I just havent met an honest veteran. The military is like being incarcerated and behind bars. It halfway teaches you to respect authority, halfway teaches you to evade authority. In an economy like this? No free rides! You sign up to get shot at and ruin your body at the cost of possible long-term pain?

You have just met an honest Veteran.... Hi! :wave:

I don't know who told you serving in the military was like being behind bars, but.... :dunno: I loved my time in and wish I never got out.

As for the pain.... its just one price we understand will happen.

 

[Torre82]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

You have just met an honest Veteran.... Hi! :wave:

I don't know who told you serving in the military was like being behind bars, but.... :dunno: I loved my time in and wish I never got out.

As for the pain.... its just one price we understand will happen.

Who told me? Noone. I spent my time in the U.S. Army. 91Whiskey, combat medic. Call me biased but .. dammit, if I had a dollar for every whiny bastard who wanted pills, every so-called veteran who milked the fuck out of being a combat vet.. oy. It doesnt give you a free pass to act like an asshole. So you're in pain. You signed up, not everyone else.

I'd say I'm quite biased, but who in the healthcare industry (formerly now, thank G_d) isnt jaded by all those humans who call for the WAH'mbulance?)

My time on the inside? I miss wearing your respect level on your collar. I miss the comradery. I miss the security and protocol. I dont miss the other 80% of it. "Hurry up and wait" didnt endear me to the lifestyle. Mostly

 

[tiger1977]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

one more reason to elect someone else in four years.

bingo!!

 

[Philbert]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

One more reason to elect someone else in four years.

One more in a growing list...

 

[Facetious]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

Physical civil strife can't be too far off after reading that piece of dogshit ! (the main link - story) Let's get this over with ! I have plenty of fight left in me.

The question is - What will this jr. college humanities (liberal arts) professor, have for u.s. tomorrow ?

Is this a dream ? Help !! Somebody dump a bucket of water over my head !!
In the beginning, these we're kind of fun threads that gave us an opportunity to, in good spirit, chide one another, but this one hits way below the belt.

I don't like going around not liking people but . . I have no more words for this president.

 

[meesterperfect]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

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

That about sums it up.^

It does sound pretty fucked up, and I'm sure most working/contributing citizens would have no problem if their tax money went to veterans who were injured while serving.

So Obama voters, where the HOPE be in this situation? Hope the insurance company covers it?
Now the CHANGE is obvious. Less money for the vets, more money for some welfare mom with six kids and her baby's daddies.
And thats reality.
He is an extremist with no experience , nice gamble.
But you voted him in.

I fear next he will cut services for children with physical and mental disabilities as well.
funding for special schools and programs and teachers.
because who cares about them, they'll never be able to vote democrat right?
As long as Lekiesha, Shaniqua, and Tanqueray get their families first card recharged each month and their nice, recently increased "Tax Credit" each year, people like Obama will keep getting votes.
Fuck that country.

 

[ChefChiTown]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

I used to work in sales. One of the avenues I marketed was selling ad space in various organizations' magazines to state and local businesses. When I say "various organizations", I mean charitable organizations. Police Benevelont Associations, Fire Chief Associations and even Amvets (American Veterans).

The following would happen quite often when I would be marketing for PBAs...

I would call up a business and get the owner on the phone. The owner would happen to be a veteran who has served in the US Armed Forces. I would give him my sales pitch and he would listen. He would then ask why he should be giving money to help the PBA. I would explain what was done with the money. One of those things is that the PBA would help defray the cost of medical expenses for work-related injuries and funerals for police officers that were killed in the line of duty.

Almost every veteran of the US Armed Forces would respond with the following...

"The money I give will help pay their medical expenses? Don't they have their own insurance?"

Now, if I call that same exact business owner (which happened quite often), but on behalf of the Amvets, things would go differently.

I would give him my sales pitch and he would listen. Obviously, being a veteran himself, he would be more interested, but he would still ask me why he should be giving money to help the Amvets. I would explain what was done with the money. One of those things is that the Amvets would provide donations to VA hospitals in the form of medical supplies and they would also help Amvet members PAY THEIR HOSPITAL BILLS.

Almost every veteran of the US Armed Forces would respond with the following...

"The money I give will help pay their medical expenses? How much do you need?"

:dunno:

 

[meesterperfect]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

I don't think its a just comparison.
Police have good insurance already, provided by the GOV.
Police can retire after 25 years with a very nice pension and benifit package.
They are taken care of very nicely if they are injured or disabled on the job.

The soldier isn't given those perks.
He serves and he is gone, maybe with a student credit to study something.
The least the GOV can do is if a soldier is injured or disabled while serving, take care of him/her with therapy, medical care and medication without putting him through the hell of dealing with insurance companys.

 

[ChefChiTown]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

I don't think its a just comparison.
Police have good insurance already, provided by the GOV.
Police can retire after 25 years with a very nice pension and benifit package.
They are taken care of very nicely if they are injured or disabled on the job.

The soldier isn't given those perks.
He serves and he is gone, maybe with a student credit to study something.
The least the GOV can do is if a soldier is injured or disabled while serving, take care of him/her with therapy, medical care and medication without putting him through the hell of dealing with insurance companys.

Why should private insurance companies be forced to pay for someone's bills?

The leader of the American Legion is basically saying that it's going against the mandate of "to care for him who shall have borne the battle" to not pay for 100% of veterans' medical care. But, he's asking the government to force private companies to pay for these bills. It's quite ironic and hypocritical, in my opinion, to try and take away the very freedoms that these men are fighting for.

 

[Philbert]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

Why should private insurance companies be forced to pay for someone's bills?

The leader of the American Legion is basically saying that it's going against the mandate of "to care for him who shall have borne the battle" to not pay for 100% of veterans' medical care. But, he's asking the government to force private companies to pay for these bills.

Where did you read that?

 

[ChefChiTown]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

Where did you read that?

It's in the article...

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.

 

[stampede2873]

Re: American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for

Chef....

The result of the Obama proposal is this....

If the private insurance companies have to pay the VA back, then the Veteran treated will be billed by the insurance company. The VA is not a standard practicing hospital. It does not require the Veteran to pay 100%, only in some cases a VERY small percentage.

This will also force the insurance companies to raise medical insurance premiums across the board. Which means everyone paying for Med Ins. will have their premiums hiked.