Hot Air Mobile
Home The Vault Gear About
Hot Air -- get your fill


Obama VA: Let’s charge vets for care on service-related injuries

posted at 10:57 am on March 12, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly

If the Obama administration wanted to come up with the most politically offensive policy it could imagine, within the bounds of reason and reality, what elements would it have to include?  Insulting veterans and looking like cheapskates in a time when massive government outlays to private industry would certainly help it along.  Comes now Hero of the Anti-War Left, retired General Eric Shinseki, who wants to save a few bucks at the Veterans Administration by making men and women injured in the service of our country pay for their care:

Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki confirmed Tuesday that the Obama administration is considering a controversial plan to make veterans pay for treatment of service-related injuries with private insurance. …

No official proposal to create such a program has been announced publicly, but veterans groups wrote a pre-emptive letter last week to President Obama voicing their opposition to the idea after hearing the plan was under consideration.

The groups also cited an increase in “third-party collections” estimated in the 2010 budget proposal — something they said could be achieved only if the Veterans Administration started billing for service-related injuries.

Asked about the proposal, Shinseki said it was under “consideration.”

“A final decision hasn’t been made yet,” he said.

Let’s see.  The same administration that wants to give tens of billions of dollars to GM, Citigroup, AIG, and a host of other banks and manufacturers wants men and women injured in service to their country to pay for the medical care that arises from these injuries?  In what universe does Shinseki and the Obama administration live, anyway?

And people used to complain that Bush didn’t care enough about veteran care – even though he increased the VA budget by 56% from 2001 to 2008.  Bush never offered the notion that the nation should shirk its duty to those who gave their health for the defense of America, especially not in the same week in which his administration signed a record omnibus bill with 8,000 pork items in it.  In fact, I don’t think any administration has ever signaled such a policy, mostly because previous administrations weren’t dumb enough to try it, let alone crass enough to consider it an area to save a little cash.

Obama said he wanted to bring bipartisanship to Washington, and he may succeed here — by annoying both Democrats and Republicans.  Patty Murray (D-WA) declared that any such suggestion would be “dead on arrival” in the Senate.  Richard Burr (R-NC) told Shinseki not to count on that revenue stream.  If Hope and Change means dunning wounded warriors, Capitol Hill will say thanks, but no thanks, in as united a voice as one can imagine these days.

It’s just another incompetent moment in an administration trying to set a record for them.


Blowback

Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.

Trackbacks/Pings

Trackback URL

Comments

Comment pages: 1 2 3 ... 5

Yeah, they should buy their own guns and uniforms too. Also, can we charge them for the plane flight that takes them to their theater of operations?

Cicero43 on March 12, 2009 at 10:59 AM

0 is a motherfcuking anti-American traitorous POS.

OmahaConservative on March 12, 2009 at 10:59 AM

Do it, Ogabe you effin moron, PLEASE do it.

Bishop on March 12, 2009 at 11:00 AM

Patty Murray (D-WA) declared than any such suggestion would be “dead on arrival” in the Senate.

When a dim-bulb like Patty Murphy figures this one out quickly, this policy really IS “dead on arrival”.

teke184 on March 12, 2009 at 11:00 AM

This is how Obama raises military pay as HE promised.

God save America.

maverick muse on March 12, 2009 at 11:00 AM

Trial ballon or commie buffoon?

fogw on March 12, 2009 at 11:00 AM

What’s a word to say, I am completely FN gobsmacked?

TheSitRep on March 12, 2009 at 11:01 AM

Maybe the folks in the military need to join a union.

Vashta.Nerada on March 12, 2009 at 11:01 AM

OH MY GOD!

THE HEATHENS ARE AT THE DOOR!

THIS IS HORRIBLE!

THE OUTRAGE MUST BE SWIFT AND SURE!

WILL THE RINO’s DARE COMPLAIN?

WILL REPUBLICANS FINALY GROW A SET AND DEFEND OUR MILITARY?

Mark Garnett on March 12, 2009 at 11:01 AM

That’s just the greatest idea eva! I mean, why not? The military is only risking their lives in service to their country.

I predict that if it happens, most military folks wouldn’t re-enlist….

mjk on March 12, 2009 at 11:02 AM

So, the plan is free national healthcare for everybody except veterans?

morganfrost on March 12, 2009 at 11:02 AM

My head is spinning…no one sane would propose such a thing.
Especially and administration that is so adamant about government health care, they want the government employees (service men) to use private health care?
Nothing about this makes sense…sacrificing your life, then paying for the privilege.
Something is missing, no sane man (I repeat myself) would ever propose such a thing…no way, something is not right about this story.

right2bright on March 12, 2009 at 11:02 AM

I said it on a different thread, there is NOTHING these pukes don’t see as a potential revenue stream. This administration is going to continually overreach and it is not going to end well.

Bishop on March 12, 2009 at 11:02 AM

Next up pay for their own chow and ammo.

I did think it was funny when I had to pay for that first and the subsequent haircuts at MCRD Sandiego.

TheSitRep on March 12, 2009 at 11:02 AM

Let’s charge vets for care on service-related injuries

Did you mean charge vet’s private health insurers, if they have one, or charge the veteran personally?

JiangxiDad on March 12, 2009 at 11:03 AM

He also wants to fund international abortion and send tons of money to acorn and moveon.org.

Ideological Ambition – that’s all he’s about. An empty suit.

And he’s going to ruin this country.

http://bit.ly/14rIQu

funsutton on March 12, 2009 at 11:04 AM

Going after the military vote, I see. Just publicizing the fact this is under consideration should do wonders for enlistments.

a capella on March 12, 2009 at 11:04 AM

I here by declare myself a “Separatist Rebel

TheSitRep on March 12, 2009 at 11:04 AM

Obama to the U.S. Military—”Fight and Pay for Your Own Wars”

Rovin on March 12, 2009 at 11:04 AM

America has made a grave mistake electing this man. I wish impeachment were a realistic possibility.

capitalist piglet on March 12, 2009 at 11:05 AM

But hey wtf how about we pay for college tuition in Gaza. and cure aids in Africa.

TheSitRep on March 12, 2009 at 11:06 AM

So the gitmo boys will also have to cough up their own cash for their battlefield injury medical care too right?

Idiots

katy on March 12, 2009 at 11:06 AM

Cicero43 on March 12, 2009 at 10:59 AM

I thought they do buy their own uniforms.

Phoenician on March 12, 2009 at 11:06 AM

0 is a motherfcuking anti-American traitorous POS.

OmahaConservative on March 12, 2009 at 10:59 AM

well said sir…

max1 on March 12, 2009 at 11:06 AM

Jeez they cant be serious. How can they be serious? republicans run someone other than sarah palin and at this rate they may get 80% of the vote!

ernesto on March 12, 2009 at 11:07 AM

Hey, President Obama!! You idiot, they’ve already paid for their care.

coldwarrior on March 12, 2009 at 11:07 AM

Not surprising in the least. Among Democrats, the only government programs that ever might need pruning are military. A billion dollars to research whale genitalia? Sure! But that dang veterans hospital sure is soaking up a lot of money, isn’t it?

Lehosh on March 12, 2009 at 11:08 AM

“I’m Wesley Clark and I approve this message”

Rovin on March 12, 2009 at 11:08 AM

Yeah, I kinda hope he tries it. Congress, as stupid as they are, will stop it dead in its tracks.

If he tries this, 2010 looks much easier and 2012 starting to look like a walk in the park.

Oink on March 12, 2009 at 11:08 AM

Good article here on this subject by someone who knows it personally:

href=”http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2009/03/much_ado_about.html”>

Hope I got the linky thing right…

JamesLee on March 12, 2009 at 11:08 AM

I thought they do buy their own uniforms.
Phoenician on March 12, 2009 at 11:06 AM

They do, or at least I had to when I served; my initial pay was incrementally docked to pay for uniforms and replacements after that were at my cost too.

Bishop on March 12, 2009 at 11:09 AM

Yeah, they should buy their own guns and uniforms too. Also, can we charge them for the plane flight that takes them to their theater of operations?

Cicero43 on March 12, 2009 at 10:59 AM

Actually you do pay for your own uniforms. The initial issue is all that is free. After that you buy them. If you are like me and served more then 20 years I bought a lot of uniforms, especially whenever the Army changed patterns or material. There was nothing in my clothing bag that was the same from the dress uniform to PT clothes to regular BDU’s and boots.

Just A Grunt on March 12, 2009 at 11:09 AM

Nope, apparently I didn’t. Let’s try again….

JamesLee on March 12, 2009 at 11:09 AM

But if these veterans have private insurance, the insurance company should be billed. The only thing the VA needs to do, is to ensure that those wounded in combat never have to pay a dime out of their own pocket.

But if, for example, a husband is wounded, comes back, receives further treatment at the VA after leaving active duty and he’s covered under his wife’s Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan, why shouldn’t Blue Cross/Blue Shield pay some of the bill? He’s covered by her policy.

I think what’s far more egregious is the amount of benefits that go to military members who have never been wounded in the service.

20 year retirements for pencil pushers, need to go. Those positions need to be civilianized and the money should go to those wounded in combat or at least served in combat.

NoDonkey on March 12, 2009 at 11:09 AM

I’m 40% disabled. No I can walk but barely. I pay my mortgage, looking for work, and now will probably pay my future bills for being shot….. yeah, I HAD buried my resentment of the American populace and government back in my brain since Vietnam. If you want me to revisit my anger and resentment…. have at it, scumbag.

MNDavenotPC on March 12, 2009 at 11:09 AM

This doesn’t surprise me one single bit.

My shoulder regularly slips out of socket as a result of the side of a building falling on it after being knocked loose by a wild RPG in Iraq. The Army refused to fix it for the 4 years that I remained in service after it happened, and since then the V.A. has refused to pay for any treatment or disability.

I can’t even throw a baseball, football, or do overhead lifting, and the V.A. considers me 0% disabled.

You should all know that your country gives the middle finger to those that defend it.

leetpriest on March 12, 2009 at 11:10 AM

Oh, I see. We can piss away $900BL ‘rebuilding’ Gaza, but we can’t take good care of our vets.

Got it.

Cody1991 on March 12, 2009 at 11:10 AM

The mere suggestion of this is so offensive that heads should roll.

The only health care, other than my own, that I want to pay for is for the military.

myrenovations on March 12, 2009 at 11:10 AM

W.T.F. ?!!!!

The more I hear, the lower my jaw drops. If the Republican’s won’t stand up against this pos, I’m bettin’ there’s several million good American’s who will.

Holy soup. I picked a good week to go buy a new gun.

Un-effing believable.

WraithRat on March 12, 2009 at 11:11 AM

Obviously the boot is coming down on conservative America. The vast majority of our troops are conservative. Maybe this is why jackasses like Rangel call for the return of the draft. Who the hell would want to serve under these idiots?

I sure as hell hate thinking this way, but it makes me wonder if the thinking isn’t along the lines of “a conservative military would be of no help in a time of a conservative revolt.”

Patrick S on March 12, 2009 at 11:11 AM

I can’t believe this!! If this is true a piss test needs to be adminstered asap to the whole Obama Administration. What fools.. or should I say tools.

Dire Straits on March 12, 2009 at 11:11 AM

Just A Grunt on March 12, 2009 at 11:09 AM

If your medical care wasn’t compromised or limited, and if you had private health insurance as well as veterans benefits, would you care which insurer was primary, and which was secondary?

JiangxiDad on March 12, 2009 at 11:11 AM

Did you mean charge vet’s private health insurers, if they have one, or charge the veteran personally?

JiangxiDad on March 12, 2009 at 11:03 AM

Shouldn’t really matter. Premium increases resulting from insurance payments of this magnitude eventually come back on the individual. In fact, this would mean all military people would be required to have personal coverage up to some astronomical figure when they enlist, wouldn’t it?

a capella on March 12, 2009 at 11:11 AM

Pardon me for just a minute-Im a lady but this has to be said. F-U-BO! F-U Shinseki! My soldier leaves for his 5th tour to Iraq next month-Twenty three years of loyal service to his country. I have volunteered and supported our men and women in the service for those twenty-three years as his spouse. My soldier gets up everyday before dawn and puts that uniform on and leaves home with the knowledge that he is willing to lay his life on the line for his country and his men. This is outrageously gross imcompetence to even suggest that these dedicated men and women pay for their injuries or be forced to buy additional insurance(btw these are pre-existing conditions and extremely hard to insure) when they were promised care for their service. What a felonious failure by this administration. Obama and Shinseki are jokes on the human race.
Done with anger and outrage,hope I did not offend anyone. I cant begin to express how angry I am at this news.

canditaylor68 on March 12, 2009 at 11:11 AM

Anyone care to place odds on whether MSNBC covers this?

msmveritas on March 12, 2009 at 11:11 AM

Actually you do pay for your own uniforms. The initial issue is all that is free.

I know in the Navy, it depends whether you are an officer or enlisted.

I paid for all of my own unis. Took me a year to pay off the initial issue.

I just sent my enlisted guys over this drill weekend to pick up the new, gawdawful new working unis the Navy just came out with for E-1 to E-6 and they didn’t pay a dime for them.

NoDonkey on March 12, 2009 at 11:12 AM

Hmm, I’ll figure this out….

here

JamesLee on March 12, 2009 at 11:12 AM

Jesus, Obambi. You really want to biggest douche bag of all time don’t you.

Lance Murdock on March 12, 2009 at 11:12 AM

All Marine’s uniforms/boots/shoes/haircuts/brass polis/shaving cream etc come out of their pay.

If they loose a piece of their supplied 782 gear (deuce gear), they technically are suppose to pay for it.
It is good to have a friend in supply company.

TheSitRep on March 12, 2009 at 11:12 AM

*** The Internet Warrior puts on his tin-foil hat and moves over to his soap box, climbs up and preaches:

“I wonder if this is not a part of a larger, more sinister plot, plan, agenda if you will… One that requires a reduction of the size and ability of the US Military, it’s readiness, it’s capibilities, it’s manpower and moral… My thought, although even I admit, it’s far out there, is that The Messiah NEEDS and MUST have a horrible economy, huge unemployment, bank runs and closures, gas prices over $5 a gallon, rampant crime, illegals influx, weakened Military and porus borders in order to claim the need for a “National Emergency”, “Marshal Law”, a “Citizens Defense Force”, a suspension of The Constitution and total Governmental control.”

*** Internet Warrior climbs down, walks to dark corner of room, sits and begins to rock slowly back and forth…

Mark Garnett on March 12, 2009 at 11:12 AM

Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki suffers from tourettes? This seems like an obscene utterance. Obama I WON. Yes you won, now you want to turn the entire country against you? Military People come from every nook and cranny of our Country…3 million, and they have friends and families who vote.

Dr Evil on March 12, 2009 at 11:12 AM

Shinseki was a POS when he disinfranchised the entire spec ops community by insulting Rangers and making their earned beret standard issue for all soldiers. I see nothing has changed!

davenp35 on March 12, 2009 at 11:13 AM

0 year retirements for pencil pushers, need to go. Those positions need to be civilianized and the money should go to those wounded in combat or at least served in combat.

NoDonkey on March 12, 2009 at 11:09 AM

Want to know the sick thing? When I was in Ft. Lewis, a Captain ordered over $100,000 worth of IP Phones that couldn’t be returned, without checking to ensure the MCS and version of Call Manager would support these phones. The phones went to waste. His answer? Shrug his shoulders.

When I reminded this prick (with no combat patch, mind you) that he had just wasted $100,000 of valuable taxpayer money as a result of his own oversight, and that that money could have been used to give a leg or an arm back to one of my friends he said “Stay in your lane, Specialist”.

I hope that son of a bitch rots in hell with Madoff.

leetpriest on March 12, 2009 at 11:14 AM

Premium increases resulting from insurance payments of this magnitude eventually come back on the individual.

Health insurance doesn’t increase when you get sick, like auto insurance does when you’ve had an accident, that’s a popular misconception.

NoDonkey on March 12, 2009 at 11:14 AM

“I’m Wesley Clark and I approve this message”

Rovin on March 12, 2009 at 11:08 AM

lol it would be funny if it weren’t probably true.

TheSitRep on March 12, 2009 at 11:14 AM

But if, for example, a husband is wounded, comes back, receives further treatment at the VA after leaving active duty and he’s covered under his wife’s Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan, why shouldn’t Blue Cross/Blue Shield pay some of the bill? He’s covered by her policy.

Because private insurance premiums would go up to cover the risk of insuring active duty military personnel. As a moral issue, we as a people owe it to our armed forces to cover the cost of their sacrifice.

patriette on March 12, 2009 at 11:14 AM

As far as I’m concerned, any combat vet, past or present, should get free healthcare for the rest of his life, at the doctor of his choice (ie, no VA facilities, but rather like a PPO plan).

Even that falls short of the benefits I think these guys should get. They are the ones who sacrifice most when we call. In fact, I think we should give the Congressional health plan to the vets, and have the Congress use the VA from now on.

JohnTant on March 12, 2009 at 11:14 AM

I miss Bush. While his record was far from perfect, something like this would never happen on his watch. The troops had a friend in him.

KillerKane on March 12, 2009 at 11:14 AM

So, the plan is free national healthcare for everybody except veterans?

morganfrost on March 12, 2009 at 11:02 AM

Sure seems like it. He’s going to get torn to pieces over this.

BadgerHawk on March 12, 2009 at 11:14 AM

Do this and you’ll end up hearing stories of vets being denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions.

SPCOlympics on March 12, 2009 at 11:15 AM

I served America with honor as a conscientious objector. Even I who enjoyed George Bush find this is the most obsessively stupid thought to entertain much less speak about. Only a Hitler would lavish ACORN with money and cheat the Vets.

seven on March 12, 2009 at 11:15 AM

O/T – Mr. President is speaking right now defending the Porkulous Bill. Stock Market to begin to tank again in 5…4…3…2…

This idiotic proposal is another in the long list of “What is he going to do next?” Welcome to the latest European Socialist Nation, the U.S.S.A.

I want my country back.

kingsjester on March 12, 2009 at 11:16 AM

I predict that if it happens, most military folks wouldn’t re-enlist….

mjk on March 12, 2009 at 11:02 AM

Incompetence or intentional? Does Dear Leader want to gut the military, so that it won’t be a threat to Him when He decides to implement that civilian force and impose martial law?

rbj on March 12, 2009 at 11:16 AM

Shinseki is loyal to the chrysanthemum empire.

TheSitRep on March 12, 2009 at 11:16 AM

Who the hell is running VA, Code Pink?

The bastard who ‘ran this up the flag pole’ should be HUNG from that same pole!

GarandFan on March 12, 2009 at 11:16 AM

We do pay for our own food and uniforms (yes we get annual stipends to offestt costs, but it’s never enough; the balance always come out of pocket). If you have other health insurance (third party) the military WILL BILL THEM FIRST to recoup expenses.

I don’t know anyone on active duty who has other health insurance (other than TRICARE). If you’re a retiree or a vet, get treated at a military health care facility, and you have other insurance, they already do this.

The way the military health care system is now (unless you are seeing a specialist) it pays to have other insurance (if you’re a retiree/vet). For routine or primary care issues, it’s easier to go to an off-base doctor or facility and just let your other insurance pay for it. Wait times and availbility can be an issue so some do this.

catmman on March 12, 2009 at 11:16 AM

Shinseki was a POS when he disinfranchised the entire spec ops community by insulting Rangers and making their earned beret standard issue for all soldiers.

davenp35 on March 12, 2009 at 11:13 AM

The rest of us don’t like wearing the berets any more than that Spec Ops and Airborne units like us wearing them.

BadgerHawk on March 12, 2009 at 11:16 AM

Done with anger and outrage,hope I did not offend anyone. I cant begin to express how angry I am at this news.

canditaylor68 on March 12, 2009 at 11:11 AM

Don’t ever “be done with your anger and outrage”…you among most anyone else posting has the right and privilege to be as angry as you want, you earned that right.
Thank you for your “man” and your support of him. I am certain your “support” doesn’t end with your immediate family, but extends far beyond the walls of your home.

right2bright on March 12, 2009 at 11:18 AM

Great. Free healthcare for illegal aliens and drug addicts, but US military, you’re on your own.

What is happening to my country?

ctmom on March 12, 2009 at 11:18 AM

I served America with honor as a conscientious objector.

Huh, what?

Bishop on March 12, 2009 at 11:18 AM

Oh. My. GOD! One of the things the lefties LOVED doing over the past six years was trashing the Bush administration for not carrying about wounded service members.

Please, Obama…push this forward and bring it on.

flipflop on March 12, 2009 at 11:18 AM

Because private insurance premiums would go up to cover the risk of insuring active duty military personnel.

That’s not correct, you are rated in health insurance by your group, not by your individual driving record, like you are for health insurance.

And, if these guys don’t have health insurance, they won’t be billed.

Look, I despise the Obama Administration, but this isn’t a bad idea. The vets aren’t going to pay, the insurance companies will. Not that I have anything against them either, but if they are insuring these guys, they should pay.

NoDonkey on March 12, 2009 at 11:18 AM

The mere suggestion of this is so offensive that heads should roll.

The only health care, other than my own, that I want to pay for is for the military.

myrenovations on March 12, 2009 at 11:10 AM

I second.

WraithRat on March 12, 2009 at 11:18 AM

Repulsive, anti-american hippies all of them!

This is what the voters of this country get when they don’t pay attention and treat the election of our President as if its a season of American Idol.

I don’t have the words for how sick this makes me. Not that it would EVER pass but its just the idea that the admin is considering it says so much about who they are.

What is happening to our country?

HoosierCon on March 12, 2009 at 11:18 AM

That’s not correct, you are rated in health insurance by your group, not by your individual driving record, like you are for health insurance auto insurance.

Fixed it.

NoDonkey on March 12, 2009 at 11:19 AM

BTW… I paid for my uniforms. 782 gear was first issued and you protected it, because you paid out of pocket if lost. This was so even in 1969( when I was in the Corps) all uniforms obtained after boot camp were paid by me. So, no, we weren’t given much, but we sure gave alot. I shouldn’t have to use my private carrier, that’s for my family….. I don’t ask anything from this country except when it comes to what I sacrificed … have a bit of concern….. but if you think I’m going to beg you, Obama…. kiss my ass.

MNDavenotPC on March 12, 2009 at 11:19 AM

flipflop on March 12, 2009 at 11:18 AM

*ack* carrying caring.

flipflop on March 12, 2009 at 11:19 AM

Also, can we charge them for the plane flight that takes them to their theater of operations?

Cicero43 on March 12, 2009 at 10:59 AM

They will fly stand-by…after Pelosi decides what plane she wants to fly on.

right2bright on March 12, 2009 at 11:19 AM

The rest of us don’t like wearing the berets any more than that Spec Ops and Airborne units like us wearing them.

Hehe, I remember that. FNS had Juan Williams just amazed that they were arguing about “hats.” Brit Hume got very stern and serious, explaining to Juan that he didn’t understand what those Special Forces went through and what that “hat” represented, while Juan just rolled his eyes at it.

JamesLee on March 12, 2009 at 11:20 AM

This bill should not be DOA.

Person thinking this should be DOT (Dead On Thought).

I needed this today to get me going…

OneConservative on March 12, 2009 at 11:20 AM

Where is Powell?

Oh right.

artist on March 12, 2009 at 11:21 AM

Shouldn’t really matter. Premium increases resulting from insurance payments of this magnitude eventually come back on the individual. In fact, this would mean all military people would be required to have personal coverage up to some astronomical figure when they enlist, wouldn’t it?

a capella on March 12, 2009 at 11:11 AM

I don’t know. I’m confused by the story. It doesn’t make clear what they mean. I’m guessing this is a royal cock-up,and has nothing to do with vets who don’t already have both kinds of health insurance. My suspicion is that this is a gov’t attempt for private insurers to be primary,and the gov’t to pay as secondary. (Primary insurers generally pay the bulk of the claim, secondary pay any small balance remaining.)

JiangxiDad on March 12, 2009 at 11:21 AM

Jeez they cant be serious. How can they be serious? republicans run someone other than sarah palin and at this rate they may get 80% of the vote!

ernesto on March 12, 2009 at 11:07 AM

There, fixed that for ya, d!ck.

Brian1972 on March 12, 2009 at 11:21 AM

canditaylor68 on March 12, 2009 at 11:11 AM

No offense taken….and well said candi!

This is just the beginning of the assualt on our American military by the liberal hacks in charge. Obama should be stripped of the title Commander in Chief.

Rovin on March 12, 2009 at 11:21 AM

So, the plan is free national healthcare for everybody except veterans?

morganfrost on March 12, 2009 at 11:02 AM

That national healthcare is only going to be “free” for the millions of illegal aliens who’ll get it. The rest of us will be paying for it through increased taxes.

AZCoyote on March 12, 2009 at 11:21 AM

There’s an effective way to kill recruitment and weaken the military.

lorien1973 on March 12, 2009 at 11:21 AM

This will be a fun single term.

I never imagined his entire administration would melt down in mere months.

MadisonConservative on March 12, 2009 at 11:21 AM

0 is a motherfcuking anti-American traitorous POS.

OmahaConservative on March 12, 2009 at 10:59 AM

Really couldn’t say it better than this

Sugarbuzz on March 12, 2009 at 11:21 AM

Health insurance doesn’t increase when you get sick, like auto insurance does when you’ve had an accident, that’s a popular misconception.

NoDonkey on March 12, 2009 at 11:14 AM

Yeah, it does. The cost burden is shared within a pool. The net effect of this is that premiums would be increased for all purchasers of insurance from that company. Tax dollars presently being used for military care can be shifted elsewhere, and private citizens pick up the difference in premiums. It’s a shell game. Just another form of tax.

a capella on March 12, 2009 at 11:22 AM

Hehe, I remember that. FNS had Juan Williams just amazed that they were arguing about “hats.” Brit Hume got very stern and serious, explaining to Juan that he didn’t understand what those Special Forces went through and what that “hat” represented, while Juan just rolled his eyes at it.

JamesLee on March 12, 2009 at 11:20 AM

Oh good grief. Juan can be such a tool.

capitalist piglet on March 12, 2009 at 11:22 AM

This proposal is essentially ramping up the bureaucracy, the Military already have to deal with RED TAPE.

The Military doesn’t need more GOVT RED TAPE they need less.

Who wants to discourage enlistment? Really if you get wounded and then go through the Red Tape, and they mess it up (Like They Always Do) how do you get any care if the VA starts arguing about who is going to be billed? This is nonsense take the money from unnecessary -redundant bureaucracy.

But by all means lets find out why pigs smell.

Dr Evil on March 12, 2009 at 11:22 AM

I just sent my enlisted guys over this drill weekend to pick up the new, gawdawful new working unis the Navy just came out with for E-1 to E-6 and they didn’t pay a dime for them.
NoDonkey on March 12, 2009 at 11:12 AM

Uh oh…worse than the bell bottom crap I wore back in the day? I don’t suppose you have a link to photos of these new uniforms, do you?

Bishop on March 12, 2009 at 11:23 AM

Really couldn’t say it better than this

Sugarbuzz on March 12, 2009 at 11:21 AM

Agreed. I’d like to be angry, but as time goes on, I’m beginning to simply enjoy it. The man is quickly spending the patience of the American people. I’ll be looking forward to the ramifications.

MadisonConservative on March 12, 2009 at 11:23 AM

America has made a grave mistake electing this man. I wish impeachment were a realistic possibility.

capitalist piglet on March 12, 2009 at 11:05 AM

Yeah, that.

ProudinNC on March 12, 2009 at 11:24 AM

Also, so we can sum it up:

If you are poor and leech off the state, free healthcare is your reward. If you serve your country and get injured, screw off.

lorien1973 on March 12, 2009 at 11:24 AM

0 is a motherfcuking anti-American traitorous POS.

OmahaConservative on March 12, 2009 at 10:59 AM

Wow, cornfed rage!

capitulus on March 12, 2009 at 11:24 AM

My head is spinning…no one sane would propose such a thing.

I’m starting to think Obama isn’t.

Which would also explain a totally empty Treasure Department, and the Keystone Cops behavior of the people he has appointed, his press secretary, etc.

Alana on March 12, 2009 at 11:25 AM

Health insurance doesn’t increase when you get sick, like auto insurance does when you’ve had an accident, that’s a popular misconception.

NoDonkey on March 12, 2009 at 11:14 AM

It does increase. It is just spread around to everyone with the company. Why do you think your premium goes up each year even when you don’t use it? Cuz government says you can’t raise premiums on one person, so everyone gets it.

And then government whines that insurance costs are too high. It’s wonderful, really. /sarc

lorien1973 on March 12, 2009 at 11:25 AM

Comment pages: 1 2 3 ... 5


You must be logged in to post a comment.