Bush Administration Proposes Cut in Veteran Benefits

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SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I can understand everyone's concern about paying deductibles, but we as military benificaries are ruining are own system. When we come in for a bottle of motrin, go to the doctor for simple colds, headaches for 2hrs, bloodshot eyes etc. We overtax our own medical system. Each one of those visits usually ends up costing the military hundreds of dollars (lab work/x-rays/personell). As far as what we promised when signed on the dotted line....there is nothing about free healthcare for life. That is what the recruiter probably said, but I stopped believing everything my recruiter said a long time ago.

Ask pretty much anyone in the military medical field and we will tell you a small $5-$10 deductible for visits would go a long way into stopping unnecessary use/costs of the military medical visits.

We have indigent catagories on the civilian side, and their is no reason we couldn't have it on the military side.

I love my benefits and the USAF, but we are going to ruin our own military medical system if something is not implemented.

Air Force Nurse

Truly, where abuses are allowed, they will be. This applies anyplace.

I have 24 years' experience in the military medical care system (as active duty myself, and now, as a dependent spouse), dating back to the old, now-defunct CHAMPUS days. I have seen many changes, (I saw the implementation of TRICARE and all the initial bugs it caused, as well as offbase dental coverage being initiated for family members, which was huge for us)-----yes. Dental care alone has put a huge dent (no pun intended) into our family budget.

However, I do agree with you; many changes were absolutely necessary to keep things going and coverage even for the majority of active-duty members and dependents. And in the USAF (as well as entire DOD), there are ways to address, stop and control fraud, waste and abuse (FWA) and these principles can and should be applied to the military medical care system. We dont' need a new system to stop this; we just need to use what is already put in place.

However, we are talking the VA system/care here, which is an entirely different entity. So alot of what is being argued in our posts here does not apply, really, in the VA medical care world. It's a different pot of money, altogether. And different group of people---most of whom already served and lost limbs or became permanently disabled in doing so. They deserve what was promised them when they agreed to serve---and stepped up to the plate. They made the sacrifices, we need to care for them. End of story as far as I am concerned.

Something I agree with from the Bush administration for once. I'm tired of veterans over dramatizing their experiences and making the rest of us feel guilty.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN

3 Articles; 6,621 Posts

Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

Would someone like to create a poll for this?

Something like...Prior service, non-prior service, current service, family member of prior service, agree with cuts, not agree with cuts?

????

SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Something I agree with from the Bush administration for once. I'm tired of veterans over dramatizing their experiences and making the rest of us feel guilty.

Is that so?

I have to ask: and are you a veteran? I do really want to know, earnestly.

Also......

Do you take exception to the nurses "overdramatizing" when they take on government for their causes as well? If not, what is the difference?

Please, do tell me of your experiences as a veteran and with the VA, if you have them. I am eager to hear what you have to say that may enlighten us---maybe you have positive and helpful experiences to share. If so, I thank you in advance.

one more thing: NO ONE can make you feel guilty. If you do, there is a reason that has nothing to do with vets overdramatizing a thing. Have a good day.

SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Would someone like to create a poll for this?

Something like...Prior service, non-prior service, current service, family member of prior service, agree with cuts, not agree with cuts?

????

I elect YOU to do this. You are great at creating polls, if my memory serves. Thanks in advance, Thunder!!! :)

mwbeah

430 Posts

NO ONE can make you feel guilty. If you do, there is a reason that has nothing to do with vets overdramatizing a thing.

Total agreement here.

Mike

Weebils-Wobble

24 Posts

Kevin, Bob,

Excellent response to political terrorism. Congress is ultimately responsible for funding our military anyway. If the troops don't have body armor or anything else, blame the in-fighting in Congress to try to weasel pork onto the bill. VA spending was increased but the reorganization of appropriations were used to attack the President. I would not be surprised at all if the reorganization of spending was part of concessions to those same people that are using the changes to attack him.

I'm an Army National Guard medic. I have never paid for a meal, but I have seen that the commissioned officers have to. It's hilarious to see the looks on thier faces when they have to pay $7 for powdered eggs :chuckle but of course, that's because they draw BAS all the time. When we're in the field, they have few choices but they do have a choice. As an enlisted soldier, I am ordered to sign for meals. The command justifies the resupply by my participation. I get an MRE in the chow line so that no matter what my mission is for the day, I will get fed. If we are not dismissed because some tasks need to be completed, my command has a meal brought in from outside. If my command doesn't have the money, my platoon leader sees to it. If my platoon leader can't get it done we suck it up and complete the mission. Responsibility always starts at the top, but if it falls all the way to me it is my duty to accept it.

In other words, our service to our country takes precedence over our country's service to us(insert JFK quote).

The Army National Guard is a different animal. Funding is MUCH LESS but the basics are provided somehow. I train alot on my own. I don't even get paid for half of the hours I put in. It's understood that I take care of dental because the paperwork is lethaly slow. I have health insurance and never intend to go to the VA ever. If I'm injured in the line of duty, I know that it will be paid for if the paperwork doesn't prove fatal first. I carry life and disability insurance on myself. These plans are better than what a civilian could get because the Guard made the opportunity available. I buy first aid items everytime I'm in the store. I purchase uniforms and field gear. I bought an AR-15, which is the legal version of the M16, so I could train and become proficient with it.

I don't have to do any of that. My command supplies the basics promptly. There is always some kind of budget that they have to live with but they provide me what they can. I have taken the initiative to do all that I can in return.

I have shipped injured soldiers out to base hospitals and have never heard of one of them paying for anything related to it. I don't know many soldiers that ever buy anything with personal money but the ones that do complain much less than the ones that don't...uhmm? If a soldier fails to get all thier gear supplied before a mission, they are reassigned. The Guard takes care of us somehow. It depends on whom the responsibility falls to and if that person accepts it. The first people to get that responsibility are in Congress.

mwbeah

430 Posts

In other words, our service to our country takes precedence over our country's service to us

Which is why I am in awe of the young soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines that volunteer for service. They know that the pay is not great and the benefits are "adequate", but they enter anyway. As a career soldier, I have utilized the military just as they have utilized me. On there bill, I obtained 4 secondary degrees (and pursuing a 5th). Sure the army gets there time from me, but at the end of my obligation, I am retired with pension and medical benefits (as well as being young enough -47- to start a second career).

As a leader, I feel it is my obligation to teach troops how to utilize the benefits provided by the armed services. Many times benefits go unclaimed for lack of knowledge, not because the benefits aren't there. If you know people that are struggling to get benefits, become an advocate for them and "make some noise" at the VA center, or military facility.

JMTOT,

Mike

SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Kevin, Bob,

It depends on whom the responsibility falls to and if that person accepts it. The first people to get that responsibility are in Congress.

indeed. AND therein lies a HUGE problem.

SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Which is why I am in awe of the young soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines that volunteer for service. They know that the pay is not great and the benefits are "adequate", but they enter anyway. As a career soldier, I have utilized the military just as they have utilized me. On there bill, I obtained 4 secondary degrees (and pursuing a 5th). Sure the army gets there time from me, but at the end of my obligation, I am retired with pension and medical benefits (as well as being young enough -47- to start a second career).

As a leader, I feel it is my obligation to teach troops how to utilize the benefits provided by the armed services. Many times benefits go unclaimed for lack of knowledge, not because the benefits aren't there. If you know people that are struggling to get benefits, become an advocate for them and "make some noise" at the VA center, or military facility.

JMTOT,

Mike

excellent post, and thank you for your service.

kbclary4

64 Posts

This reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw the other day. I said: Frodo lied, Bush has the ring.

kbclary4

64 Posts

Sorry...*it* said

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