09-23-2011, 08:03 PM
Dick, I read the opinion piece you posted from Jan 2009. It does not deal with eliminating or minimizing Veteran's Benefits. It focused on increases in copays for Tricare users. Maybe that's what your friend was talking about. Copays for insurance have risen for everyone including Tricare users, which I don't doubt resulted in an increase in his health care costs. But the DOD-managed Tricare is still provided to active and retired military at generally reduced rates as compared to private or employee plans.
The 2009 proposal by Obama to bill combat-related health expenses to private insurance carriers was in fact dropped.
I think veterans deserve the benefit of special VA loans, educational assistance, military health care plans, coverage for combat-related injuries, Aid and Attendance supplements... I don't expect that some of the rates and out-of-pocket expenses for beneficiaries will never increase/decrease in correlation with the rest of the economy.
The 2009 proposal by Obama to bill combat-related health expenses to private insurance carriers was in fact dropped.
I think veterans deserve the benefit of special VA loans, educational assistance, military health care plans, coverage for combat-related injuries, Aid and Attendance supplements... I don't expect that some of the rates and out-of-pocket expenses for beneficiaries will never increase/decrease in correlation with the rest of the economy.