Obama to cut health-care benefits for troops, but not unionized defense workers
The Obama administration’s proposed defense budget calls for military families and retirees to pay sharply more for their healthcare, while leaving unionized civilian defense workers’ benefits untouched. The proposal is causing a major rift within the Pentagon, according to U.S. officials. Several congressional aides suggested the move is designed to increase the enrollment in Obamacare’s state-run insurance exchanges.
The disparity in treatment between civilian and uniformed personnel is causing a backlash within the military that could undermine recruitment and retention.
The proposed increases in health care payments by service members, which must be approved by Congress, are part of the Pentagon’s $487 billion cut in spending. It seeks to save $1.8 billion from the Tricare medical system in the fiscal 2013 budget, and $12.9 billion by 2017…
“We shouldn’t ask our military to pay our bills when we aren’t willing to impose a similar hardship on the rest of the population,” Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and a Republican from California, said in a statement to the Washington Free Beacon. “We can’t keep asking those who have given so much to give that much more.”
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Excellent. Just in time for the election…
cynccook on February 28, 2012 at 1:03 PM
Tin ear. Catholics and military. Who is left? Is Jarret doing this to him?
a capella on February 28, 2012 at 1:05 PM
Had to wait til Rush mentioned this to post? This came out last night.
txmomof6 on February 28, 2012 at 1:07 PM
“But I don’t want to criticize the president just to amp up the turd base.” Mitt.
arnold ziffel on February 28, 2012 at 1:08 PM
Of all people that I feel that should be taken care of for the rest of their lives is our uniformed members in the military. They sacrifice their lives daily so we can have freedom ( and try to help others get it )…. why are we not reversing this and make the unionized contractors instead pay in while our military stand by and get the perks instead?
O never mind… I am just a racist.
watertown on February 28, 2012 at 1:08 PM
Well duh, the military wont vote for him.
Zaggs on February 28, 2012 at 1:09 PM
Cut your own frickin medical Barry, you disgusting swine. Take five or six fewer vacations every year… maybe occasionally share an airplane with your spouse and progeny. Leave servicemembers alone, cochon!
Good grief, everything about the man makes me sick to my stomach.
CantCureStupid on February 28, 2012 at 1:10 PM
The troops didn’t earn it anyway. The Administration is always correct.
/liberal4life
Good Lt on February 28, 2012 at 1:11 PM
Can he do this without Congress?
Cindy Munford on February 28, 2012 at 1:11 PM
No, Congress has to change the law.
txmomof6 on February 28, 2012 at 1:13 PM
I have to say I do really detest and loath bho and his whole stinken team! The whole bunch hates our military with a passion. Dear God, I feel so sorry for any in the military under that slug bho cic!
On the issue of our military, Mark Levin has a video on bho’s apology. Love or hate Mark, he will always let you know how he feels. I agree with him!
http://www.therightscoop.com/mark-levins-epic-apology-to-the-troops-for-the-jerk-whos-the-commander-in-chief/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
L
letget on February 28, 2012 at 1:15 PM
I can’t imagine it going anywhere, there has to be a reason he threw this out there. This has to be yet another attempt to steer the conversation.
Cindy Munford on February 28, 2012 at 1:18 PM
Patronage system. The liberal dream and notion of equality.
gwelf on February 28, 2012 at 1:18 PM
Well yeah, I mean technically that’s the way it’s supposed to work, the way it’s always been done. But you know, with Barack it’s different isn’t it? He doesn’t need congress anymore and if he can’t get congress to go along with him he’s going to do it on his own and stuff. So it’ll all be ok in the end, right? Right?
Trafalgar on February 28, 2012 at 1:18 PM
Luckily for Santorum, his union buddies will be okay./
Buy Danish on February 28, 2012 at 1:23 PM
Are you kidding? Where have you guys been the last 3 years? When has this administration ever worried about needing congresses approval before he circumvents the law?
Lifeisdeath on February 28, 2012 at 1:24 PM
So Obama’s base hates the U.S. military, and this is supposed to make them happy?
This is going to raise everyone’s hackles except for the very far left like Code Pink. Those are not large numbers only 21% of the American electorate identify liberal a much smaller portion makes up the military hating numbers. It’s stupid, and it’s in the news cycle right after 2 U.S. Military Officer’s were shot in the back of the head in Afghanistan on duty.
Dr Evil on February 28, 2012 at 1:29 PM
Not surprising. This is the same President Obama who proposed making wounded Veterans pay for their war injuries using private insurance. He simply does not respect the military. When your loyalty to the unions who fill your campaign coffers with cash supersedes your loyalty to the men and women who put their lives on the line for the country you lead, you are truly, and utterly, morally depraved.
Logboy on February 28, 2012 at 1:31 PM
This came up last week, not last night. Outrageous…the president ran on a platform of health reform, making healthcare more affordable, but yet his administration seeks to raise rates for military? So, we are supposed to think he cares about military members and retirees?
ellifint on February 28, 2012 at 1:33 PM
Is there news hiding in here somewhere? How about a surprise?
No? Then why did you wake me from my nap?
platypus on February 28, 2012 at 1:33 PM
Dr Evil on February 28, 2012 at 1:34 PM
Very valid point.
Cindy Munford on February 28, 2012 at 1:34 PM
Zero wants to cripple the US military. If this goes through, why would anyone enlist? It would seem that is what he desires.
It is sad that those who sacrifice the most get the least. Government worker, congress and the Zero all have platinum health coverage, yet they RISK NOTHING.
dogsoldier on February 28, 2012 at 1:36 PM
Two U.S. Military Officers were shot in the back of the head. President Obama apologized to the Afghans for an incident that was by many accounts a proper way of destroying the Koran when it was defiled- Fire. To show how serious President Obama is about this incident, he will now raise the health care premiums “Excessively” on active duty and retired military U.S. service members.
Dr Evil on February 28, 2012 at 1:38 PM
Are you still unsure that Obama hates America and is trying to change it into something we will all despise?
tom daschle concerned on February 28, 2012 at 1:48 PM
Jeez. Quit the empathetic whining. Just come out state, “This is just another example of how President Obama screws the American people around. If you don’t like it, there’s an easy solution. Don’t vote for him in November.”
Dusty on February 28, 2012 at 1:52 PM
Let’s not forget the promises made to 20 year retirees well into the 1980′s….”If you retire from the military, you will have free medical for life”
The implementation of Tricare and it’s associated costs was already a break of the promises made to the military. And before anyone here thinks it’s possible for a retiree to get free care at an active military hospital, I will tell you that they can’t and haven’t for years.
BierManVA on February 28, 2012 at 1:53 PM
Until now I had no idea that the U.S. Military was a member of the 1% but it’s obvious they have been living it up lavishly, in sh1t holes like Afghanistan, and it’s time for them to pay their fair share/
Dr Evil on February 28, 2012 at 2:07 PM
This will make a nice election ad.
Chuck Schick on February 28, 2012 at 2:12 PM
I don’t know. There’s a bunch of Civilians that are Oboobi fans, primarily those that work for DoD but had never put on the uniform.
Last year, they were fretting over the shutdown, then they fretted about possible cuts to their entitlements and oh, year, griping about the wage freeze. In their worldview, soldiers are a burden and contractors are evil -evil for denying a position to another civilian and that we’re driven by “greed”. Whenever they go on a libtard rant about taxes, entitlements, I’ve had to bite my tongue from telling them this is my way of serving/supporting the troops and all they ever whine about is their status/benefits etc.
This latest proposal from Oboobie is only to help ensure his union worker base sticks with him. As for conservative leaning soldiers affected by insurance and mounting costs to raise a family, he’s already lost them. this ain’t about what’s best for the soldiers, it’s about perking his base to get another term.
AH_C on February 28, 2012 at 2:47 PM
Well, DUH! That’s the plan.
Ward Cleaver on February 28, 2012 at 3:02 PM
I pay $400 a month for TRICARE, which I don’t even use.
Why don’t I use it? Too many restrictions, and because the government is always slow to pay doctors under Tricare, most Doc’s won’t take Tricare patients.
So I have another health insurance policy that is much more flexible and 100 percent accepted that I pay for. LOL – and since I took the initiative to get that policy, TRICARE takes my $400 a month – but will now only pay what the other company WILL NOT pay for. The problem is – the other company pays for everything.
So Thank You! Mr. Obama – for raising my premiums on a useless policy!
I’ll still vote for you though – if Mitt Romney is the GOP nominee!!
HondaV65 on February 28, 2012 at 3:22 PM
Excellent. How is the media going to spin this one? Your post made me belly laugh.
wi farmgirl on February 28, 2012 at 3:24 PM
Why Drudge cracks me up sometimes.
Not that this is a laughing matter.
Mr. Joe on February 29, 2012 at 9:59 AM