American Legion commander “angered” after meeting Obama
posted at 7:00 pm on March 16, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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Apparently, the Obama administration hasn’t backed away from its plans to start offloading costs for wounded veterans to third-party insurance, which will make acquiring such insurance nearly impossible. The commander of the American Legion emerged from a meeting with President Obama “angered” at Obama’s insistence on generating revenue from those who sacrificed for American security:
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.”
The Obama administration explains that it wants private insurers who sell coverage to vets to pay their fair share, but there are two things wrong with that argument. First, the United States has a moral obligation to provide treatment for those wounded in the service of their country. That’s a commitment we make to the people who enlist in military, and should not get outsourced.
Second, vets with service-related injuries and illnesses can only get third-party insurance because insurers know the US will cover all service-related medical treatment through the VA. If the government reneges on that commitment, it will put insurers on the hook for veterans already enrolled — but it will make it a lot harder for the next set of veterans to get insured. It will also raise costs to the rest of the insured by those companies, when the burden should fall on all Americans equally.
If the country needs more revenue streams, it should find some other way to find them than the backs of our wounded veterans. They’ve sacrificed enough. Shame on the Obama administration for attempting to weasel out of our commitment.
Update: This Ain’t Hell wonders when General Eric Shinseki will resign in protest.
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From your keyboard to God’s ear….
MrScribbler on March 16, 2009 at 9:57 PM
I feel like I am in a nightmare.
I don’t know what to say. I feel so badly for our soldiers, veterans, and their families.
I am not surprised though. There aren’t any military folks in ACORN. Now we know why he dissed the Hero Ball (for military).
TN Mom on March 16, 2009 at 10:00 PM
The above should be quite clear to most anyone, so clearly Obama is either a knave or a fool. My guess would be that he is trying, and this is just one of his attacks, to destroy Americas medical care, so he can “pick up the pieces”.
MB4 on March 16, 2009 at 10:00 PM
There aren’t words strong enough for me to express my contempt for our federal government. If it were not for my trust in God, this sort of post by EM might get under my skin.
King of the Britons on March 16, 2009 at 10:02 PM
If a march on July 4 does materialize it would probably get more attention if there are plenty of wounded vets there.
This is not the least bit unexpected. Of course he is shafting the veterans. His buddy is Bill Ayers. The leftists in this country are applauding the move too.
I hope the Republicans get their shit together quickly. Not that they’re much better, but they’re a little bit better.
deewhybee on March 16, 2009 at 10:04 PM
This is possibly the creepiest thing Obama has done so far.
SheofTwoMinds on March 16, 2009 at 10:07 PM
When was the last time you can ever remember a head of the American legion getting angry after meeting with a President of the United States??
Like any President ever??
This is just utterly disgusting.
This president and this Democrat congress cannot let a day go by without spitting on the people of the country, it’s flag, it’s way of life or it’s constitution!
Obama called himself a “citizen of the world” last year back in that big show in Germany!
He certainly is not acting like a citizen of America!
JellyToast on March 16, 2009 at 10:08 PM
In the new regime you can see how a dream can be turned into a nightmare. Some causes are warped and twisted, like some men.
PercyB on March 16, 2009 at 10:08 PM
This is such a ridiculous scam that words cannot begin to describe how outrageous it is.
Dr. ZhivBlago on March 16, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Elections have consequences.
Republicans have only themselves to blame for the election of a “man” such as Obama. Republicans destroyed their moral standing in America and then nominated yet another doddering middle-of-the-road war hero.
Blame Obama? Yes. But also blame the Republican Party.
pabarge on March 16, 2009 at 10:11 PM
I did NOT vote for the idot.
I will protest on your behalf! I will call/email my senators/congressman starting TOMMORROW. I will call often!
I’m going to pay a vist to my local VFW (I’ve never been before) and voice my support. If they need me to march, I WILL march.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!! My family is safe BECAUSE of YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TN Mom on March 16, 2009 at 10:12 PM
No, that is not derangement. That is anger. Are you seriously unable to tell the difference?
Now if the anger was over something that never happened, or based on some wild conspiracy theory, you would have derangement.
To take an example with Bush, leftists who were furious that Bush was eavesdropping on terrorists were not deranged. I believe they were wrong, and they were certainly angry.
If, on the other hand, they claimed that Bush was secretly listening in on every American who voted for Democrats, then they were deranged.
ThereGoesTheNeighborhood on March 16, 2009 at 10:16 PM
If you don’t want to stand behind our soldiers, please feel free to stand in front of them!
God Bless our soldiers.
jrab01 on March 16, 2009 at 10:16 PM
“It was hard for me to believe that you were entirely serious about that socialist question,” Mr. Obama told the reporter, who wrote: “He then dismissed the criticism, saying the large-scale government intervention in the markets and the expansion of social welfare programs had begun under his Republican predecessor, George W. Bush. ‘It wasn’t under me that we started buying a bunch of shares of banks,” Mr. Obama said. ‘And it wasn’t on my watch that we passed a massive new entitlement, the prescription drug plan, without a source of funding.’”
So true. But drawing on the mantle of George W. Bush should be no shield against charges of socialism. Having massively expanded the government and massively intervened in the economy, Bush checked his capitalist credentials long ago. For Obama, this really is smoke and mirrors time. Going for the grandest illusion of all, he then told the New York Times: “We’ve actually been operating in a way that has been entirely consistent with free-market principles.”
Excuse me while I pick my jaw off the ground. Everyone knows — or should know — that putting more and more of the government in charge of more and more of the economy is entirely inconsistent with free-market principles. This means that the president’s statement to the contrary is what is known as a big lie. Repeat it enough, and people believe it. President Obama, of course, only has to say it once: George W. Bush, the Republicans, they started this whole thing; since they represent “conservatism,” that must make him Mr. Free Market.
Confusing? Only so long as George W. Bush retains conservatism’s stamp of approval, thus stun-gunning conservatism. The resulting paralysis is what keeps a lot of the Obama hocus pocus going — even when the ruse is so obvious. Not to mainstream media reporters, of course; they’re hopeless. But conservatives, I’m afraid, are in denial.
MB4 on March 16, 2009 at 10:17 PM
This thread could use the levity; here are some Anti-OBAMA bumperstickers for your enjoyment.
carbon_footprint on March 16, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Considering the fact that the electorate has been dumbed down there is lots of blame to go around. Talk about an uphill battle. 60 percent of America thought the GOP ran Congress and more than 70% of Obama voters do not believe in the Constitution. That amount of stupidity is a major challenge then and now. In general Americans are ignorant. They buy into the Rush smears regarding the hope for failure and that the GOP did not have any alternatives to the stimulus plan. Years of terrible education are paying off for the dems.
Jamson64 on March 16, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Nah, he’ll never be impeached. But a 25% approval rating within a year would be pretty funny to see.
ddrintn on March 16, 2009 at 10:20 PM
As one who was in the Nav during the Carter administration… and Clintons… I understand your frustration…
Keep the faith… hold the line… someone has to or we all go down…
As to those who see this as a good thing? There was an implied contract when the US Government TOLD us Vets that we would be taken care of… Healthcare was used as an inducement to reenlist… MANY MANY times.
Will be interesting to see how the courts jump when that arguement is made…
Romeo13 on March 16, 2009 at 10:21 PM
This act merits the repeal of Hot Air’s anti-profanity policy.
This is outrageous. I hope that this is something that has to go before Congress, not just some bureaucratic decision, because somebody is going to get an earful from me.
To do this, Obama has to either:
A. Be an idiot– plausible
B. Hate the military– plausible
C. Be using this to help shove through universal healthcare (”Look, these poor soldiers have no health-care. How did that happen? We need to nationalize healthcare NOW!”)– very plausible
Obama is digging his own political grave… let’s just hope he doesn’t take any of our vets down with him.
Now the White House is talking about taxing your insurance premium money. I can’t imagine that he could ever get that through, but heck… WHO KNOWS ANYMORE!!!
Glenn Jericho on March 16, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Make sure you tie a rock to their legs before you throw them in!
Susanboo on March 16, 2009 at 10:23 PM
I refused to renew my VFW membership because their PAC supported Murtha for re-election. After 3 wars and 28 years in the Military with a 40% disability rating that retired me early, I wish Obama an early retirement. I hold him in the same regards as Bin Laden now.
old trooper2 on March 16, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Hey Shinseki, take this plan and your stupid beret idea and shove’em…
Send_Me on March 16, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Remember when Urkel and the media were trying to compare to Lincoln?
Well, the motto of the VA came from Lincoln and it says:
““With malice toward none, with charity for all,
with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right,
let us strive on to finish the work we are in,
to bind up the nation’s wounds,
to care for him who shall have borne the battle
and for his widow, and his orphan,
to do all which may achieve and cherish
a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.””
http://www1.va.gov/opa/feature/celebrate/vamotto.asp
It is usually found on a plaque at the VA.
I guess these greedy b@st@rds have decided to throw veterans, their widows and orphans under the bus.
…while Pelosi is focusing on keeping her local rags printing their propaganda.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/16/MNIA16GCBO.DTL
91Veteran on March 16, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Now, now. There are deadbeats who have to have their mortgage payments made.
ddrintn on March 16, 2009 at 10:25 PM
God bless you Sir. This is the last straw for many of us. What you and others like you did for our freedom is priceless. Please do not ever forget that there are many of us who are forever in your debt.
carbon_footprint on March 16, 2009 at 10:26 PM
BTW… anyone know of any reputable charities for helping vets with medical expenses?
Glenn Jericho on March 16, 2009 at 10:26 PM
It is truly hard to believe The One’s bunch. They are making a 2010 revolt probable instead of possible. I’m shaking my head. I bet Putin and the Chinese are smiling like they just won a lottery.
Dire Straits on March 16, 2009 at 10:29 PM
You want to know who you are, Barack Obama? Huh? Huh? You don’t, I do, Jericho does, everyone does… you’re the son of a thousand fathers, all #astards like you.
Tuco on March 16, 2009 at 10:30 PM
I can only come to the conclusion that Obama is punishing the troops for the “illegal wars” they waged. I would love to know the number of times Obama stated, “I support the troops” during the campaign. Despite these words, it didn’t stop the Donkeys from trying to cut off funding. And now this. This should be a lesson to all who think the Donkeys care about our troops.
Neo-con Artist on March 16, 2009 at 10:32 PM
Charge 3rd party insurance for VA services. Tax health care insurance benefits. All of this leads to weakening the private insurance industry.
We will all end up on a bad version of Medicare. Don’t believe for a minute that it will look like the same policy that is available to federal employees. That is unsustainable. There will be rationing of benefits.
DrStock on March 16, 2009 at 10:33 PM
I had dinner not too long ago with a friend who supports BO. This person has a sibling who serves in the military as a medical officer. Sibling has deployed to Iraq and is now deployed to the ME. At the dinner I was told that friend and sibling voted for BO. I constantly ask myself how on earth BO got 35% of the military vote. I just don’t get it.
muggedbyreality on March 16, 2009 at 10:34 PM
I will surely be dancing many Russian jigs and celebrating my good fortune and success with many Russian vodka toasts.
PootyPoot on March 16, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Okay, with policies like this, can someone please explain to me how anyone except the “military-hating far left” can still be supporting this guy? It is beyond comprehension that he has any decent poll numbers at all!!!!
Susanboo on March 16, 2009 at 10:36 PM
It should be obvious what he is doing here. What he eventually wants is to take the Veterans health care away from them and give it to the dirtbags who won’t work and continue to have babies in craphole big city slums. The whole Veterans Hospital network is a prize part of the healthcare system he can take if he want’s to. This is all part of the plan. Another part is the abortion policy he’s trying to pass that REQUIRES any hospital to offer the full range of abortion services right up to late term abortions. What that does is run the Catholic Church right out of the hospital business. Between grabbing the Catholic and VA hospitals, it gives you a tremendous base of assets, buildings, and staff to start your own nationalized health care system. He know exactly what he is doing. These people are not stupid, they are pure evil.
Bikerken on March 16, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Holy revolution, Batman! Here’s the angle:
When the Insurance Companies revolt against dropping the Act of War Exclusion from their policies, it gives Obama the opening he needs to push forward with his Nationalized Health Care Plan to combat the “Evil” Insurance Companies.
kingsjester on March 16, 2009 at 10:38 PM
I wonder how many service members will re-up when it’s time? I wonder if CIC will have many force to be commanding in a few years?
jusgottabeme on March 16, 2009 at 10:41 PM
This is Obama’s way of diluting the military. Make it a less desirable place to go and you will have no need to cut back on spending for it. NO ONE WILL WANT TO ENLIST!!!! As a disabled veteran myself, I am beyond furious. I want my country back!
O B A M A ….. One Big A$$ Mistake America.
angus mcbeemer on March 16, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Most.Loathsome.CinC.EVER.
Could somebody pry Mike Steele away from his interior decorator for a minute and point out the MASSIVE opening to attack Obama on principles NOBODY could argue against the GOP’s just been presented?
SuperCool on March 16, 2009 at 10:45 PM
BTW…. $900 million for rebuilding the bombed out Gaza Strip, but screw the GI’s for $540 million. Who’s side is he really on?
angus mcbeemer on March 16, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Simple. The libs have stacked the army with bureaucrats. That 35% is all military lawyers (like Joe Biden’s son) who go over to Iraq to litigate our troops… out of the goodness of their Daily-Kos hearts.
Glenn Jericho on March 16, 2009 at 10:46 PM
I believe there are quite a number of those who like to think of themselves as “moderate” or “open-minded” who have been congratulating themselves for voting for BHO.
I wish they would wake the hell up sometime soon…along with anyone left in the Republican party.
This is simply unbelievable.
91Veteran on March 16, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Exactly Right.
BigWyo on March 16, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Yeah, we have one of those as our congrescritter. REMF Patrick Murphy.
bullseye on March 16, 2009 at 10:48 PM
I’m glad you posted this again MB. Gives me the opportunity to get something off my chest. Obama is trying to justify his plan to fundamentally change our country by saying he is just continuing what Bush did and that’s BS.
The TARP that Bush pushed forward was to stabilize the financial system and most every economists that I’ve read says that is what needs to be done. Obama is using this crisis to further his socialist agenda. Bush didn’t do that. The loans to the banks are out of the Federal Reserve and that’s not tax revenue. Those shares are collateral against the loans that were made to those banks and as loan they are to be paid back, unless of course the banks fail. That’s a gamble true but not anywhere close to what Obama has done with our treasure.
As far as the the massive new entitlement Obama cites, prescription drugs, well that’s one of those unfunded entitlements that every working American pays into when Medicare is forcible taken from our paychecks just like Social Security. It’s an insurance program, right? But Congress spends the money like it was free of commitment. Well every private insurance program has a prescription drug co-pay and that is what Bush did, he added a prescription drug co-pay. I’m fine with that. I don’t think seniors in America should have to choose between food and medicine especially when they had the money forcible taken from their paychecks. So as far as the claim that Bush expanded entitlements, I say good. It was time those entitlements that are paid for by American workers finally be returned to those that paid for them instead of their money being used in the general fund for crap they will never see. That’s not right.
Texas Gal on March 16, 2009 at 10:50 PM
As a nine-year military veteran, this story makes me want to puke.
Nuff said.
BierManVA on March 16, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Two words…
Stop loss.
American service members have been hosed for years now… Bush set the precedent, not Barrak will use it to maintain military numbers even though they want out, and feel betrayed.
Romeo13 on March 16, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Probably also part of the evil B.O.’s plan. Enlistments and re-enlistments get down far enough, he brings back the draft for men and women, then he will exercise much more control over all our lives. Then he and the idiot Rangel from New York can show us all how the middle class and rich people have to enlist in the military too, just like Rangel’s poor constituents who have no other choice! GAG!
Susanboo on March 16, 2009 at 10:53 PM
I believe the answer to that particular question has been answered for anyone who hasn’t drowned in 0bama’s Kool Aid.
SuperCool on March 16, 2009 at 10:55 PM
I would like to see a poll on how many Americans support some crap like this. I doubt there would be more than 20% of the usual I-hate-America left.
But then, there has been little to no coverage of this, and little question by the media. If you see the AP headline about the Legion Commander, the story clearly states there was testimony on this last week before congress. Where was the press then? Where have they been since then?
The two other articles I’ve seen were a CNN article and a NY Times article, both essentially covering or the ‘Crats.
Nothing with quotes from the GOP.
Nothing more in the media…as if they don’t want the masses to know.
For all you morons who voted for Urkel….thank you for ignoring anyone who tried warning you about what he was going to be like.
91Veteran on March 16, 2009 at 10:55 PM
I case I wasn’t clear. Prescription Drug is not an unfunded entitlement. It is funded by every American worker that has Medicare forcibly taken from their paycheck. It’s only unfunded because the government treats that as revenue to the general fund instead of threating it as it is intended .. as insurance paid by the one who it was taken from as a tax.
Texas Gal on March 16, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Yes, but I repeat myself…
BigWyo on March 16, 2009 at 10:57 PM
I am sick over this! Never must this happen, what are we as a nation if this is allowed? What has happened to my country?
Obomba has found a way to cut our military all in the name of his god—-money.
Herb on March 16, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Clearly, This is Booooooooooooooooosh’s fault!
camelon23 on March 16, 2009 at 10:59 PM
I wonder how many parents will be telling their kids to do something other than enlist. I know I will be.
91Veteran on March 16, 2009 at 10:59 PM
What in the world could they possibly be thinking with this!?! If they push forward with this plan, they should catch hell like they’ve never even conceived of.
CP on March 16, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Where else in the budget was Obama supposed to get the $900 million for Hamas? Of course the military will need to sacrifice to fund struggling terrorists.
econavenger on March 16, 2009 at 11:01 PM
This vet has your back too. No way we’ll let this happen quietly.
Yakko77 on March 16, 2009 at 11:02 PM
I live in a very military city near a large army base (Ft Bliss), and even I have not seen anything about this in the newspaper or on the local news. Of course the City itself, being located on the border of Mexico, is very Democrat, but the citizens do support the military here. Just goes to show, no matter where you are, the media is still in bed with B.O., and they aren’t ready to go home from the slumber party anytime soon.
Susanboo on March 16, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Thank you 1GooDDaDDy for your sacrifice.
John
BierManVA on March 16, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Between this, getting rid of rules barring gays serving openly in the military, and the Obama administration’s considerations to subject service members to the ICC, I’m seeing a lot more reason for Obama to consider having “a civilian national security force that’s just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded [as our military].” Frankly, there won’t be anyone else left. Maybe that’s his plan… If the military can’t recruit nor retain its people, then he’d have all the justification he needs in order to bring about such plans. And you know what applies to the military that doesn’t apply to civilian security elements? The Posse Comitatus Act.
Send_Me on March 16, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Thanks 1GooDDaDDy for serving your Country!
Susanboo on March 16, 2009 at 11:12 PM
With my three Purple Hearts and five Bronze Stars, I’m already on Medicare as a retired soldier. But, I don’t like what Precedent Obama is doing.
Part of the agreement when I enlisted in 1958 was that I would have medical care for life if I made the army my career. So, I worked for lower wages than my contemporaries while aiming for an early retirement (after my youthful years were burned) hopefully planning for a second career.
Well, I recognize that politicians lie and I have partially paid for my medical care for the last twenty-five years. But, we are sending the wrong signal/message to currently serving service people. The government is telling them that we will use you in any way that we can and exploit you after you leave the service.
BTW, I never joined the American Legion after my service in Vietnam because one of the then executives said that my generation was a bunch of crybabies.
Special Forces Grunt on March 16, 2009 at 11:14 PM
First of all, God Bless all the veterans and current military personnel. Thank you for your sacrifice for this country. Remember, the current administration may not appreciate you (obviously not), but the citizens of this country do.
Secondly, I think this is simply a dirty trick by Obama to get recruiting numbers to drop drastically and reenlistments to drop as well. I then believe they will tell us that recruitment is off and they’ll have to reinstate the draft just to be fair.
You wait.
Oink on March 16, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Is Tammy Duckworth still signing-on with this trainwreck?
Mr Snuggle Bunny on March 16, 2009 at 11:19 PM
Ooops! I didn’t read your comment first. You and I are thinking along the same lines.
Oink on March 16, 2009 at 11:20 PM
You are a hero. Not some spoiled brat that has never sweat a drop for anything of value. Thank you. Thank you is not adequate enough.
God bless you.
carbon_footprint on March 16, 2009 at 11:21 PM
This is ****ing disgusting, that’s all I’m going to say.
Rollie on March 16, 2009 at 11:22 PM
I notice that nobody has spoken here from experience about the effects this will have, so I’ll add that to the mix.
Both my wife and I work, and both of us have medical plans which cover both of us. My wife’s plan is Kaiser, an HMO, and mine is Aetna, a network fee-for-service plan. My wife uses the services of Aetna, and I go to Kaiser.
I wonder if anyone here has heard of “coordination of benefits”? Just in case you haven’t, it goes like this — since the insurance companies want to make sure that they don’t pay more than 100% of the cost of your care (even though you are paying 100% of their premium), they “coordinate” with each other. Now, that coordination is not automatic — you sit in the middle. One of them is called the primary insurer, and the next one secondary, and so on (if you have more than two). That determines the order of payment for services. The primary pays first, the secondary then makes its payment based on the remainder after the primary has paid, so on and so forth.
In the case of my wife, Kaiser is primary and Aetna is secondary. So, when she goes to see her in-network Aetna doctors, Aetna (as secondary insurer) won’t pay until my wife attempts to secure payment from Kaiser. Since Kaiser (an HMO) won’t pay for anything not done in a Kaiser facility, you’d expect this to be pro-forma, or for Aetna to waive its requirement. But it isn’t, and, starting about two years ago, Aetna doesn’t. The Aetna doctor submits the bill to Aetna, Aetna kicks it back to the doctor because they aren’t the primary insurer. Doctor then bills my wife, who must then submit the bill to Kaiser. In a few days (they are actually quite fast), Kaiser sends back a notice that the services were not covered because the billing doctor wasn’t a Kaiser physician. The Kaiser paperwork then must then be submitted along with the original bill back to Aetna. Depending on the claims adjuster who gets the bill, the bill will either then be completely covered, will be pro-rated by what the adjuster thought Kaiser should have paid, or gets lost in the stack. The latter two events are not as infrequent as you might think, and each one requires hours of work to resolve such that Aetna properly reimburses its own doctors.
Consider that the VA stands in place of Kaiser as an HMO-like entity, and you can see the problem; the wounded or sick Veteran will have tremendous paperwork to receive the required care. If the Veteran had the non-VA health insurance in place before he/she joined, that insurance will likely be primary and the VA secondary, while if they got the insurance after joining, the VA will be primary and the insurance company secondary. This is assuming that the secondary insurance is fee-for-service. Now imagine the secondary insurance being an HMO, and you can see that all that paperwork required by the VA will be for naught.
Maybe Obama’s new law will just modify the terms of any existing contracts (either full or supplemental, HMO or fee-for-service) with insurers to make all those insurers stand fully before the VA. That might, in some circles, be considered an ex post facto law. My guess is, that if that even has a ghost’s chance of happening, Ed’s thoughts about what the insurers will do will be wrong — I’m betting the insurers make a preemptive strike and drop all veterans, and there will be years of litigation taking this stuff to the Supreme Court.
unclesmrgol on March 16, 2009 at 11:30 PM
That’s bad but I’ve heard that before about some AL groups. On the other hand I know many VFW groups that opened their arms to VN vets even though the classification for that war was not technically a foreign war… to them… that’s BS!
My stepfather did 2 tours of VN and was a POW in his 2nd tour. On behalf of myself and my stepfather, thank you for your service to freedom and our country SFG. And from a Texas Soldiers’ Angel .. I wrap my wings around you.
Texas Gal on March 16, 2009 at 11:30 PM
When our service people take the oath to protect and defend the Constitution, I am sure they actually mean it, unlike their false commander and chief. I am sure that given the choice between defending the scum in the beltway vs. we the people, they will choose the citizens, not the traitors.
djtnt on March 16, 2009 at 11:32 PM
Refused? Excuse me…the President of the United States REFUSED to let the Americna Legion plead their case? This sorry SOB need to figure out who the hell he works for.
As for the money, NASA just got a $2.4 billion increase. We can spare 0.5 billion of that for our veterans.
This is disgusting…hell, I just remebered we’re about to give a lot of money to Palestinians so they can come over here and be educated into good little socialists. F that! No hamas hoodlum is getting a dime of my tax money while American troops are paying for their own insurance coverage.
FuriousAmerican on March 16, 2009 at 11:34 PM
If this doesn’t stir up the anger of Americans, I don’t know what will. Time for a Revolution… not tea party protests, but a real overthrow of government.
ErinF on March 16, 2009 at 11:35 PM
I have to read through my contract of Enlistment, but im pretty sure that this in fact a breech of contract between Enlisted/Officers and the United States of America. Anyone know a good lawyer?
Dragoonchris on March 16, 2009 at 11:36 PM
I encourage everyone to email/call/fax/all the above their congressman and senators. Express your outrage. Encourage them to do everything they possibly can to stop this before it’s too late.
I emailed my congressman (Mike Pence) and Senators Lugar and Bayh just a few minutes ago.
We must remain vigilant to protect our country from this POS POTUS.
Oink on March 16, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Brilliant thinking by a guy who has never worn this country’s uniform… This clip from National Lampoons Christmas Vacation comes to mind (from 1:55 to 2:45).
Send_Me on March 16, 2009 at 11:38 PM
+100
I know… a rhetorical question
Neo-con Artist on March 16, 2009 at 11:39 PM
I like the way you think, Erin.
Oink on March 16, 2009 at 11:39 PM
I never thought we would have a dumber and more politically ignorant politician as Clinton as when his first act as CIC was to direct the Armed Services to direct that gays openly serve in the ranks.
But now we have this – if there was one thing that the majority of citizens would accept tax hikes for it would be to provide wounded veterans the support they require, and were promised.
I would think that there was some grand plan, like if they do this, the volunteer service will dissolve and the draft will be back in vogue….. not sure why anything like that would make sense – but seriously, how ignorant can these people be? Do they have a grand plan or do they really think that they will get support from the public. Screw the military? Let them take care of themselves after this idiotic war?
Seriously, what could the thought process be here? There is no way that this will pass.
JeffinOrlando on March 16, 2009 at 11:55 PM
Here are some other things Obama thinks are more important uses for your children’s tax money than paying for the health care of our soldiers:
$1 billion for Amtrak, the government railroad black hole, which has already devoured about $500 million per year in subsidies, plus a $3 billion bailout they already had ten years ago. Less than one percent of travelers in the United States use Amtrak.
$400 million for global warming research. Of course. Unlike global warming, wounded soldiers are real.
$2.25 billion for national parks. Funny coincidence: the chief lobbyist for the National Parks Association is the son of a Democrat congressman from Wisconsin. What are the odds?
$650 million to help underprivileged people convert from analog to digital TV. I guess they’ll be marginally less underprivileged once they have that sweet digital resolution on their TV sets.
$600 million for new cars for federal employees. Of course, they’ll insist on Ford and GM products built with that top-shelf union labor!
$20 billion for an expanded food stamp program. That should help us battle the obesity epidemic sweeping the nation’s welfare dependents.
$53 billion for “science facilities, high-speed Internet, and miscellaneous energy and environmental programs.”
Of course, while you’re fuming over those little nuggets of stimulus joy, remember to add %30 to each figure for the cost of financing all that government debt. The White House is confident this is all money that would be wasted on medical care for soldiers. After all, Joe Biden saw all of the “Rambo” movies, and he’s pretty sure soldiers can all perform field surgery on themselves with string and safety pins. What they heck do they need medical care for?
Doctor Zero on March 16, 2009 at 11:57 PM
The one good point is that when Obama’s Brown Shirt Civil Defense Force comes into being, at least the military will be on the side of the people!
Seriously, we are so grateful to every veteran and military man and woman and all the families that have sacrificed for our freedom. We thank you all, and Lord willing we will get this fixed.
Christian Conservative on March 17, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Mega dittos and done.
Senators Kay Bailey and Cornyn in Texas.
Kevin Brady Rep.
Texyank on March 17, 2009 at 12:02 AM
As a Legion member and a conservative and having paid attention during the campaign , doing my homweork, this America hating, anti-military, Saul Alinsky disciple,and all around POS,,it does not surprise me. It is par for the course,,and this just gets worse as each day dawns.
retiredeagle on March 17, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Veterans March on Anacostia flats, July 4 2009
Dragoonchris on March 17, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Oddly enough, I received this in the e-mail over the weekend from a friend and Vietnam veteran:
flipflop on March 17, 2009 at 12:06 AM
“REFUSED TO HEAR”………
Obama is all in on this, popular opinion be damned. He is a socialist and he is on a mission.
He and his ilk consistently underestimate America…….(only because they do not understand what “America” is)………well…….France, England, Germany, Italy and Japan found out (I did leave out a few)…let’s see how Obama and the rest of the left do. I’m not a betting man, but if I were……….I’d be all in on the Thomas Jefferson crowd.
BTW, note to “the left”…….while there are MANY countries that you could all go to, you insist on trying to “change” this one. Only one possible reason for that and it is MONEY. The Pilgrims left with NOTHING and were guaranteed NOTHING. You maggots on the other hand feel that you are entitled to everything while sacrificing NOTHING.
There are people (I know you will not understand this) that are willing to sacrifice all they have for liberty. Wait til you meet one of those people.
My advice to the left???
Give up and leave now while you still can.
Defenders of liberty will defeat defenders of socialism/collectivism/marxism/communism etc………every time.
At some point, I fully expect to see some of you on “the other side”.
“I hope you had the time of your life”…….(Greenday lyrics)
Talon on March 17, 2009 at 12:36 AM
saltyrover on March 17, 2009 at 12:53 AM
Stop whispering, start shouting.
carbon_footprint on March 17, 2009 at 12:55 AM
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=91763
Perhaps our dream of kicking the bastard out may be in the making after all…
C.J.Roberts agrees to read Obama BC challenge…
Taitz said, “I told Scalia that I was an attorney that filed Lightfoot v. Bowen that Chief Justice Roberts distributed for conference on Jan. 23 and now I represent nine state reps and 120 military officers, many of them high ranked, and I want to know if they will hear Quo Warranto and if they would hear it on original jurisdiction, if I bring Hawaii as an additional defendant to unseal the records and ascertain Obama’s legitimacy for presidency.”
katy on March 17, 2009 at 12:56 AM
I could not agree more.
However the dark side of me wants my “fair share”.
It seams the the limits of Obamas tax credits start at $75,000 not the magicialever changing number he likes to say.
F15Mech on March 17, 2009 at 1:01 AM
This should not come as surprise to any long time USA Armed Forces Veteran as President Obama’s predessors were of the same mindset. Both Former President Carter and Former President Clinton also have distain, distrust, and disgust for any member of the USA Armed Forces. Yes, I am a USA Armed Forces Veteran and no I will not sign my real name because of the potential retaliation toward any Man or Woman of the USA Armed Forces (future, current, and past)
Azxyzr on March 17, 2009 at 1:04 AM
The fact that we have states going bankrupt(California, etc.)providing free medical care to illegal aliens makes my blood boil. But providing care for them while doing this to our service men and women is unbelievable. I’m really scared of where we are heading with this incompetent president and his group of thugs.
silvernana on March 17, 2009 at 1:06 AM
Refused? Excuse me…the President of the United States REFUSED to let the Americna Legion plead their case? This sorry SOB need to figure out who the hell he works for.
FuriousAmerican on March 16, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Exactly what I was thinking when I read that. The American Legion should press release the exact quotes of Obama’s refusal to let them speak. What wonderful soundbites of tyranny, arrogance and dismissive contempt for our servicemen & women and for our country would once again be exposed from this sham of a president!
His “refusal” should be made public and go viral.
tigerlily on March 17, 2009 at 1:07 AM
Sick. A couple things come to mind.Remember bho said everyone should serve their country for education or something?
1)Enlistment numbers would go down, so all would be forced to serve.(brownshirts)
2)Healthcare costs would rise so high, government would “have to save it”.
So you see, it’s a twofer. He gets two things done on his plan with one ugly action. Scary stuff…
conmo on March 17, 2009 at 1:17 AM
ding! winner!
funky chicken on March 17, 2009 at 1:21 AM
Silvernana – don’t even get me going on illegals medical bills or Gaza scholarships or Gaza rebuilding or economy or his disasterous appointments. When will this list stop? I HOPE soon. Is everybody sleeping? WAKEUP people!!!!!!
conmo on March 17, 2009 at 1:23 AM
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