Bush Administration Proposes Cut in Veteran Benefits

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Mar 20, 2005

It seems that our President has given his blessing, no he specifically gave his approval, to cut benefits to veterans, increase the out of pocket cost some veterans pay for their meds, cut benefits/services, especially out-patient services at several facilities nationwide, and charge this new generation of veterans about $250.00 per stay in facilitles. This was a blurp I heard on CNN earlier this AM.
I did not get all of the blurp but when I heard this my blood pressure started going up. How dare he place the lives of our young people in harms way with his oil war, show disrespect to the veterans who have served in past times,and say "here's your bill" to the newer veterans. I may not have every fact straight but I have enough to have to pray extra hard this AM for this man. When, O Lord, are we going to see an end to this pretender?

Don't even get me started.... :angryfire

Of all people who should be shown respect and appreciation, it is our vets.

This is their "thank you" from the government they served and risked life and limb for... or at least could have been asked to do so at any given time. :stone

LydiaNN · Mar 20, 2005

It seems that our President has given his blessing, no he specifically gave his approval, to cut benefits to veterans, increase the out of pocket cost some veterans pay for their meds, cut benefits/services, especially out-patient services at several facilities nationwide, and charge this new generation of veterans about $250.00 per stay in facilitles. This was a blurp I heard on CNN earlier this AM.
I did not get all of the blurp but when I heard this my blood pressure started going up. How dare he place the lives of our young people in harms way with his oil war, show disrespect to the veterans who have served in past times,and say "here's your bill" to the newer veterans. I may not have every fact straight but I have enough to have to pray extra hard this AM for this man. When, O Lord, are we going to see an end to this pretender?

And this is a surprise, why??? This what he and his ilk do.

RRN · Mar 20, 2005

It seems that our President has given his blessing, no he specifically gave his approval, to cut benefits to veterans, increase the out of pocket cost some veterans pay for their meds, cut benefits/services, especially out-patient services at several facilities nationwide, and charge this new generation of veterans about $250.00 per stay in facilitles. This was a blurp I heard on CNN earlier this AM.
I did not get all of the blurp but when I heard this my blood pressure started going up. How dare he place the lives of our young people in harms way with his oil war, show disrespect to the veterans who have served in past times,and say "here's your bill" to the newer veterans. I may not have every fact straight but I have enough to have to pray extra hard this AM for this man. When, O Lord, are we going to see an end to this pretender?

I guess I better not tell you that those young men and women recovering at WRAMC and any other medical facility for that matter have to pay for their meals...Even if they got their leg blown off.

LydiaNN · Mar 20, 2005

I guess I better not tell you that those young men and women recovering at WRAMC and any other medical facility for that matter have to pay for their meals...Even if they got their leg blown off.

:madface: :nono: :nono: :nono:

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 20, 2005

In four words: Is it 2008 yet? :icon_roll :angryfire

elkpark · Mar 20, 2005

More of that ol' compassionate conservatism, huh? Don't get me started ... :rolleyes:

germain · Mar 20, 2005

Pay for their own meals? Thier own body armor? WHO VOTED FOR THIS *** HOLE? Not me. All I can say is GIVE and prove that we can do better for vets in our own community.

2008 is 43 months away :crying2:

allnurses Guide · Mar 20, 2005

Can you provide a link please? I'd like to read it for myself. Just a little idiosyncracy of mine. :coollook:

Thanks,

steph

MedicalMT1 · Mar 21, 2005

Hi, I am an 11 year vet. I had an emergency appendectomy at a local hospital last July (did not have time to make a 25 mile drive to the VA hospital). The total bill was $35.0000 and the VA dont want to pay for this. I called veterans affairs after I got out of the hospital last year and they told me there was a program called "fee basis" which covered vets who had to have emregency surgeries. Veterans affairs gave me the name and phone nimber of the person in that office at the VA hospital....I called explained the situation and left my phone number....she did not call back....I called a couple of weeks later....same thing...she did not call back.... My co-workers told me to apply for charity care (I was working part time making $10 an hour...poverty wages for new jersey). Charity care turned me down, so I called my senators office. They are a great help but the VA treat you like dirt. They talk to you like you are abother to them. The clerk at Fee basis office told me the other day "I will be so glad when your case is over". They dont like it now because heat is on them due to Senators office being involved.

My point is if the person's name, that the vets affairs office initially gave me had done her job, I wouldnt be dealing with this right now. I am also angry in the fact that I served this country for 11 years as a medic and we get this treatment. Tomorrow, the fee basis board meets to decidie if they should pay for my "emergency" or not. I ask God to please be on that board and give me a favorable outcome. I have lost many nights of sleep and shed tears over this. Thank you for listening.

Maria, a proud vet and nearly an R.N.

'

LydiaNN · Mar 21, 2005

Hi, I am an 11 year vet. I had an emergency appendectomy at a local hospital last July (did not have time to make a 25 mile drive to the VA hospital). The total bill was $35.0000 and the VA dont want to pay for this. I called veterans affairs after I got out of the hospital last year and they told me there was a program called "fee basis" which covered vets who had to have emregency surgeries. Veterans affairs gave me the name and phone nimber of the person in that office at the VA hospital....I called explained the situation and left my phone number....she did not call back....I called a couple of weeks later....same thing...she did not call back.... My co-workers told me to apply for charity care (I was working part time making $10 an hour...poverty wages for new jersey). Charity care turned me down, so I called my senators office. They are a great help but the VA treat you like dirt. They talk to you like you are abother to them. The clerk at Fee basis office told me the other day "I will be so glad when your case is over". They dont like it now because heat is on them due to Senators office being involved.
My point is if the person's name, that the vets affairs office initially gave me had done her job, I wouldnt be dealing with this right now. I am also angry in the fact that I served this country for 11 years as a medic and we get this treatment. Tomorrow, the fee basis board meets to decidie if they should pay for my "emergency" or not. I ask God to please be on that board and give me a favorable outcome. I have lost many nights of sleep and shed tears over this. Thank you for listening.
Maria, a proud vet and nearly an R.N.
'

Good luck, tomorrow, Maria. I will be thinking of you. For you to have to go through all this is shameful!

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Mar 21, 2005

Maria,

First I want to thank you for serving this nation. Secondly, I wish you well in your pursuit of your nursing degree. Lastly, I have prayed that this board finds in favor for you and will pay the bill for your care.

:angryfire !!!!No I did not know injured service men and women have to pay for their own meals. What are we thinking and allowing? We send food, medicine, equiptment all over the world to nations that would gladly see us wiped off the face of the globe and we expect our injured soldiers to pay for meals. I knew about the body armour, have signed many a petition to have it supplied by our government, but FOOD!

So many people were blinded by Bush. I hope and pray we have a real choice in 2008. Please don't say Frist. Oh, my politics are showing. I better stop while I am ahead.