March 17, 2009Kansas City Star
WASHINGTON - The Obama administration is considering making veterans use private insurance to pay for treatment of combat and service-related injuries.
The plan would be an about-face on what veterans believe is a longstanding pledge to pay for health care costs that result from their military service.
But in a White House meeting Monday, veterans groups apparently failed to persuade President Barack Obama to take the plan off the table.
“Veterans of all generations agree that this proposal is bad for the country and bad for veterans,” said Paul Rieckhoff, executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. “If the president and the OMB (Office of Management and Budget) want to cut costs, they can start at AIG, not the VA.”
Under current policy, veterans are responsible for health care costs that are unrelated to their military service. Exceptions in some cases can be made for veterans without private insurance or who are 100 percent disabled.
The president spoke Monday at the Department of Veterans Affairs to commemorate its 20th anniversary and said he hopes to increase funding by $25 billion over the next five years. But he said nothing about the plan to bill private insurers for service-related medical care.
The current situation as I understand it is that veterans must get their own insurance when no longer active duty. The only time it is VA covered is if it is dealing with an injury incurred during active service. Is Obama suggesting that veterans now be responsible for those injuries as well?
Is Obama suggesting that veterans now be responsible for those injuries as well?
Yes. But I think it is only if they have insurance. So the practical result is that he wants to shift the burden of combat-related care to health insurance carriers.
Is Obama suggesting that veterans now be responsible for those injuries as well?
Yes. But I think it is only if they have insurance. So the practical result is that he wants to shift the burden of combat-related care to health insurance carriers.
What about copay and coinsurance? They now become responsible for that?
I guess I would have to see some sort of verification and clarification in order to believe that. From my perspective this is like someone hiring someone, having them get hurt on the job and then telling them it’s all their responsibility. I have to pay a pretty penny for workers compensation to cover just that and my employees jobs aren’t all that “Dangerous” by comparison.
"I guess he “supports the troops” until they get hurt. Then they’re on their own. "
All the article says is that the measure is on the table for consideration. Also, this seems like it would only apply to troops once they are “veterans,” i.e. no longer in the service.
Not a good idea, but let’s hold off on the “sky is falling” sentiment until someone actually makes it policy.
What active serviceman would even be able to get insurance? I would think that an insurance company would be nutty to insure them.
Man if this is true, i would be livid! I can’t stand how vets get treated by governments after they give up years of their lives (and their lives) to serve for their country. In my opinion somone who serves, should get whatever the fuck they want.
"I guess he “supports the troops” until they get hurt. Then they’re on their own. "
All the article says is that the measure is on the table for consideration. Also, this seems like it would only apply to troops once they are “veterans,” i.e. no longer in the service.
Not a good idea, but let’s hold off on the “sky is falling” sentiment until someone actually makes it policy.
Even considering such a thing speaks volumes.
I’d honestly be surprised if it was actually enacted though. I expect that there will be some backpedaling before too long.
I’d honestly be surprised if it was actually enacted though. I expect that there will be some backpedaling before too long."
I think, like with any cost reduction effort, everything is tossed against the wall to see what sticks. The media then finds the most egregious sounding item and reports it as an administration initiative, or the primary opponent of whatever measure it is leaks it in order to stir up public opinion.
I doubt very much that the Dept of VA is going to start making veterans pay for their own service related medical issues. Medical is a huge chunk of what the VA does.
First, it does not sound like this is for anyone on active duty. The legion piece says “veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries”.
As I read it, anyone who has private health care would run the claim through them, and private insurance would reimburse the VA for the care?
So how does it work now? Do veterans have health care for life?
Not following politics too closely, can someone answer this for me, didn’t Obama campaign heavily on moving toward some type of universal (i.e. one payer)health care? Wouldn’t this be a step in the opposite direction?
*WASHINGTON, March 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – 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.”
“I got the distinct impression that the only hope of this plan not being enacted,” said Commander Rehbein, "is for an alternative plan to be developed that would generate the desired $540-million in revenue.
Again maybe I’m not seeing something or this is all media “Twist” but it would appear to me that this is not just some “Brainstorming” level idea but a plan that is being pushed forth.
If so I’m having a hard time even understanding how it could even be considered.
. But to even have ideas like that kicked around is shameful.