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?
Fix it or provide a viable alternative, don't just CUT FUNDS! That is not the way to "give back" to some who gave it all!!!! :angryfire
Deb
With all due respect, this is where I have a problem with what you are saying. Funds are not being cut. Funding to the VA is increasing. Some programs used for non-service connected people are being cut, but this seems to me to be a necessary step so that more funds are freed up to help veterans with service connected conditions, including those coming home from the current war.
the paying for meals if you are receiving bas pay has always been the norm for all services
as for care in the va hospital..the clinics in some are horrible...usually after you are admitted to hospital you will have good care, depending on the nurses, some don't care but many are good intelligent caring nurses
the hospital in shreveport has been revamping clinics to follow appt times and has greatly reduced waiting time...this was true about two years ago..hope that it has continued
as has been pointed out previously there are vet who served a draft or enlistment of a two or three years and then there are vets who served a career and then retired..benefits are different
as for strange service connected disabilities i knew this vet who became addicted to drugs in nam...filed claim that it was the stress of war that made him turn to drugs
p he had a stroke from uppers he was given a pension..bought him a handicap van
i also know vets who couldn't get a penny,,by the way i didn't know that that the income of the wife was counted when figuring pension..
I don't even know where to start about this man!! :angryfire I have to admit, I was one of those people who believed Bush when he said that Irac had Nuclear weapons and that we needed to go to war. This is partly due to the fact that I come from a military family. I have had a memeber of my faimly fight in each and every war. A fact that I am VERY proud of. :) So, when our president says to fight for our country and help those in need, I was raised to trust him. Well, I can honestly say, that now, I don't beleive a word out of that mans mouth!!! I sat and watched the press conferences that "showed" where the nuclear wepons were. Of course, in the back of my mind, I did question his motives, but I still, foolishly, agreed with what we were doing. Then after time, we find out that there wasn't any nuclear weapons and that some are speculating that he sent us over there to fight an oil war for HIM!!! I watched a documantry that talked about Bush's history. I then realized that he is only in the white house to "make money"!! So, when we started cutting pretty much all funding and then lowered taxes for his (the rich) people, I wasn't surprised.
My husband and I were talking the other day about how we need to make sure we start a retirement fund b/c when we become of age there will be nothing left!! I am 26y/o and I am affraid of what the future will bring. I just pray to God, that when my children grow up, everything will be o.k again.
When will the people of this country wake up and see what he is doing to us. Bush does not care about this country or its citizens. Just look at what he is doing to our veterans. These are 18y/o kids who went to fight "HIS" war and now, our dear president is turning his back on them and their families.
I guess all I can do is Vote, Pray, and teach my children about good and bad!!
With all due respect, this is where I have a problem with what you are saying. Funds are not being cut. Funding to the VA is increasing. Some programs used for non-service connected people are being cut, but this seems to me to be a necessary step so that more funds are freed up to help veterans with service connected conditions, including those coming home from the current war.
I don't even know where to start about this man!! :angryfire I have to admit, I was one of those people who believed Bush when he said that Irac had Nuclear weapons and that we needed to go to war. This is partly due to the fact that I come from a military family. I have had a memeber of my faimly fight in each and every war. A fact that I am VERY proud of. :) So, when our president says to fight for our country and help those in need, I was raised to trust him. Well, I can honestly say, that now, I don't beleive a word out of that mans mouth!!! I sat and watched the press conferences that "showed" where the nuclear wepons were. Of course, in the back of my mind, I did question his motives, but I still, foolishly, agreed with what we were doing. Then after time, we find out that there wasn't any nuclear weapons and that some are speculating that he sent us over there to fight an oil war for HIM!!! I watched a documantry that talked about Bush's history. I then realized that he is only in the white house to "make money"!! So, when we started cutting pretty much all funding and then lowered taxes for his (the rich) people, I wasn't surprised.
My husband and I were talking the other day about how we need to make sure we start a retirement fund b/c when we become of age there will be nothing left!! I am 26y/o and I am affraid of what the future will bring. I just pray to God, that when my children grow up, everything will be o.k again.
When will the people of this country wake up and see what he is doing to us. Bush does not care about this country or its citizens. Just look at what he is doing to our veterans. These are 18y/o kids who went to fight "HIS" war and now, our dear president is turning his back on them and their families.
I guess all I can do is Vote, Pray, and teach my children about good and bad!!
Jennifer
I could not agree with you more Jennifer. :wink2: Continue to keep the faith. ON 9-11, my grilfriend was killed in tower II of the world trade center, yet I never could, and still wont condone the War in Iraq. George Bush was a joke president before 9-11, and after 9-11, I feel, he used his power to alienate so many people who actually felt emapthy for us. It was an extrordinary oppurtunity to change the world and I believe it will eventually when enough people reach a critical mass to make a change. Check out the whatthebleep.com website, it is positive and uplifting, also check out the movie Indigo. If George and his folks don't want to change the world, thats ok, cause we can, one person at a time.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Ok---I will concede a bit here. But I am far from satisfided. If not a "cut " in actual funds, then perhaps in programs. Benefits. Failure to meet the growing needs of increasing numbers of vets. Word it how you want to. It's still a pinch and a failure for our veterans.
A cut in the program of any sort without a viable and suitable alternative for vets is not right, ok? And who can say those excluded would be rightfully? WHo judges what is "service-connected " or not? Does this change, too? Yes, I am emotional. but...
And as I see it, I am seeing the truth, Steph. The truth is, this President talks the talk, but can't seem to walk the walk, when it comes to honoring our military veterans. It's sad, many Presidents seem to follow this trend. Bush is not the first. I can't understand it. They ARE Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces, after all.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
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.
'
Seems to me, if the President wants to improve the program, he can start by putting an end to cases LIKE THIS!
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
"at a time when the number of veterans from the iraq war continues to grow, it's unconscionable that president bush is not thanking them for their sacrifice by fully funding veterans programs," pallone said.
the president's budget recommendations would translate to $351 million in cuts nationwide from veterans' nursing homes, resulting in 28,000 fewer patients being served, he said. that would mean a loss of about $11 million annually for new jersey, which could force the state to shut one of its three nursing homes for veterans, said pallone aide matt montekio.
the congressional budget office also has said the budget plan falls $762 million short of what is needed to maintain current veterans programs, pallone said. to close that gap, the bush administration has proposed a $250 annual enrollment fee for medical care and hiking prescription drug co-payments from $7 to $15. the enrollment fee would generate $1.75 million and the co-pay would raise more than $5 million from new jersey veterans, montekio said.
this represents what concerns me. the budget won't keep up. we won't be serving those who are eligible and have rightful expectation to be served, even is no 'cuts in funds" are made-----the pinch will still be felt. and it does not look to me like they are simply eliminating cases that are "unnecessary" to meet budget here.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
You have found out one of the best uses for your hard-working senators and members of congress. :chuckle
I encourage people to give these people something to occupy their hours. When you have a problem in dealing with any federal agency, call your senators and member of congress as Maria did.
Of course, they won't take care of it personally, but a staff member will call the agency you're having problems with: "Hello? I'm John Doe, with Sen. Smith's office. We have a constituent who's having a problem with your agency," and very, very likely, it will be taken care of. Of course, the agency won't like it that you have made these calls, but too bad. Call them anyway.
If you're not sure who your senators are (there are 2 of them) and member of congress (1 of those) call your local public library. They will ask for your address, and they can tell you who to call, and probably give you the phone number, too. It works.
Deb, forgive me but I really don't understand what it is you think should happen.
Ok---I will concede a bit here. But I am far from satisfided. If not a "cut " in actual funds, then perhaps in programs. Benefits. Failure to meet the growing needs of increasing numbers of vets. Word it how you want to. It's still a pinch and a failure for our veterans.
A cut in the program of any sort without a viable and suitable alternative for vets is not right, ok? And who can say those excluded would be rightfully? WHo judges what is "service-connected " or not? Does this change, too?
I appreciate your feelings, but are you suggesting that once the VA enacts a program, that program should never be cut? Even when there are very few veterans who get any benefit from the program, and it is far more expensive to maintain than it is worth? Even when the program, by a vast majority, funds treatment for conditions that are not service connected? If so, we would still have programs in effect for care of civil war veterans! Take nursing home care for example. The vast majority of veterans in Veteran's Homes" are there not for care related to service connected conditions. They are there for the same reason others are in nursing homes: dementia, physical debilitation, etc. Not related to military service, but to simple old age. And yes, I know. I have worked in a VA nursing home, and I have seen the statistics. Would you suggest that all veterans be eligible for a nursing home, regardless of the status of whether or not they are there because of service related conditions? I'd hope not. These programs at the VA might be cut back, but if a veteran has a service connected condition that requires nursing home care, the VA will ensure they get it. Only instead of living at a VA nursing home, the veteran will have to live at a civilian nursing home, paid for by the VA.
The fact is that the cuts that so outrage some of you are nothing more than a realignment of assets by the VA to allow better service to the current population of veterans. It makes no sense to continue programs that are no longer needed, does it?
Seems to me, if the President wants to improve the program, he can start by putting an end to cases LIKE THIS!
If you are referring to the quality of care received by MedicalMT1, then I have no argument. Except that all the funding changes in the world are not going to change this. This requires a fundamental change in philosophy at the VA as an entity. If however, you are referring to her difficulty in getting the VA to pay for her civilian treatment, then it goes back to a question I asked long ago that you never answered. Do you think all veterans are entitled to free medical treatment for the rest of their lives, regardless of whether or not the treatment is related to service connected conditions? Because if that is what you believe, as I said, you better get ready for an increase in VA funding. An increase as high as 10 or more times the current level of funding.
And again, as I pointed out, this particular veteran probably would have received the treatment from the VA, had she returned to the VA, rather than seek medical help at a civilian hospital.
This represents what concerns me. The budget won't keep up. We won't be serving those who are eligible and have rightful expectation to be served, even is NO 'cuts in funds" are made-----the pinch will still be felt. And it does not look to me like they are simply eliminating cases that are "unnecessary" to meet budget here.
And Kucinich and Pallone are doing the veteran shuffle for no other reason than the ability they believe it gives them to attack the current administration. They are up in arms over nursing home care, which goes back to my question above: Do you think all veterans are entitled to VA funded nursing home care, simply because they are veterans? Even if the reason they are in a nursing home has nothing whatever to do with their service? Or should the money currently being spent on nursing home care be reallocated to care for veterans with service related conditions? I notice that neither Kucinich or Pallone seems to have any figures on how much VA funding needs to increase to both pay for the nursing home care and care for veterans with service related conditions.
Another point of note, contained in the bit from Begalli that you quoted is that no one is being cut off from care. "But the VA would stop covering new residents of state veterans homes." Meaning those already there are going to continue to be treated. It simply says that they are not going to fund new residents. And be aware, when we talk "Veterans' Homes" we are talking about nursing homes. You get into a Veterans' Home by application on a space available basis. Many do not even consider the service connection status of the veteran. You are a veteran, you apply, you go on a waiting list, and when there is room, you get in. Period. Many of the state Veterans' Homes were initially set up by the states, apart from the VA. They are not VA programs, but have received some help from the VA. Now that there are more veterans coming home in need of treatment, the money that used to be given to these homes is needed for the new vets.
As to enrollment fees and copays, again, we are talking about veterans applying for care for non-service connected conditions. I get drugs and treatment for my service related conditions. I pay nothing for enrollment in the VA system, and pay no co-payment for my drugs. There is no plan to change this in the future. And Pallone and Kucinich care nothing for the veteran. They simply found another opportunity to bash the current administration. Sorry, I won't sit quietly by while they tell lies and half truths about me and my situation to make political hay.
Again, there are plenty of problems with the VA. I believe that VA medical treatment centers need to be shut down and the care farmed out to private facilities. In the long run, it will be cheaper, and the veteran will be better served. But none of this has anything to do with the VA budget or how the funds are being allocated.
Do you think all veterans are entitled to free medical treatment for the rest of their lives, regardless of whether or not the treatment is related to service connected conditions?
Kevin McHugh
Kevin, as I have said in a previous posts, I come from a military family. Each one of my family members who have fought for this country volunteered to do so. My grandfather(85y/o), was a "Lifer" in the Army. After he volunteered in WWII, he came home and continued to serve. Eventually, he retired. He was always a very strong man. Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually. Obviously, old age takes a toll on a person. He didn't have any medical problems too severe until about 3 weeks ago. My grandfather and grandmother both got pneumonia. With in a few days, what the doctor thought was a cold, had my grandfather barely able to breath. When he got up to use the bathroom, he collapsed to the floor and was unable to get up b/c he was so weak. He was rushed to the hospital and then for the next week and a half, was in ICU. Here was one of the strongest men I ever knew lying in a hospital bed unconscious with tubes and wires coming out of everywhere. The doctor told us (the family) that my grandfather may not make it. I just prayed for Gods will. If it was Gods will for my grandfather to pass on then I was o.k with that. I just couldn't stand seeing him so helpless. I am happy to say, he made a dramatic recovery and slowly but surely, came back to us. Once he was well enough to leave the hospital he had to go to a nursing home so that he could get the necessary physical therapy, and so forth. In the past week he has made a lot of progress and will hopefully be coming home soon.
My point to this story is this. My grandfather spent his entire life in the military. He made a career out of protecting our Rights, our Freedom, and our Security. So, as far as, any retirement funds with another job, there are none. My grandfather has Medicare, social security, and all of the funding he gets from being in the military and in the war. He is able to go to the base to get his Medication filled. When he and my grandmother were more capable, they would do their shopping on the base, as well.
Kevin, if my grandfather did not have the funding from the military, he would be unable to live. I don't understand how you can say that even if a person has fought and served for this country, that they should only get funding for war related complications. Do you understand that for people like my grandfather, serving in the military was their job. Why shouldn't we take care of these people when they took care of us??? Can you imagine where our country would be without them? If you have never fought in a war, then you could not possibly imagine how important this funding is to these people.
If I have misinterpreted anything that you have said, I apologize!! I just wish that people who talk about taking away our veterans funding, could spend just one year in their shoes. This way they would understand how important it is to the veterans. For many of them, it is all they have b/c serving this country in the military is all they have ever done.
when he said that Irac had Nuclear weapons and that we needed to go to war. This is partly due to the fact that I come from a military family. I have had a memeber of my faimly fight in each and every war. A fact that I am VERY proud of. :) So, when our president says to fight for our country and help those in need, I was raised to trust him. Well, I can honestly say, that now, I don't beleive a word out of that mans mouth!!! I sat and watched the press conferences that "showed" where the nuclear wepons were. Of course, in the back of my mind, I did question his motives, but I still, foolishly, agreed with what we were doing. Then after time, we find out that there wasn't any nuclear weapons and that some are speculating that he sent us over there to fight an oil war for HIM!!! I watched a documantry that talked about Bush's history. I then realized that he is only in the white house to "make money"!! So, when we started cutting pretty much all funding and then lowered taxes for his (the rich) people, I wasn't surprised. 
I just pray to God, that when my children grow up, everything will be o.k again.
Bush does not care about this country or its citizens. Just look at what he is doing to our veterans. These are 18y/o kids who went to fight "HIS" war and now, our dear president is turning his back on them and their families. 
ON 9-11, my grilfriend was killed in tower II of the world trade center, yet I never could, and still wont condone the War in Iraq. George Bush was a joke president before 9-11, and after 9-11, I feel, he used his power to alienate so many people who actually felt emapthy for us. It was an extrordinary oppurtunity to change the world and I believe it will eventually when enough people reach a critical mass to make a change. Check out the whatthebleep.com website, it is positive and uplifting, also check out the movie Indigo. If George and his folks don't want to change the world, thats ok, cause we can, one person at a time. 
kmchugh
801 Posts
Deb
With all due respect, this is where I have a problem with what you are saying. Funds are not being cut. Funding to the VA is increasing. Some programs used for non-service connected people are being cut, but this seems to me to be a necessary step so that more funds are freed up to help veterans with service connected conditions, including those coming home from the current war.
Kevin McHugh