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!"
[snip]
"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. The American Legion has long advocated for Medicare reimbursement to VA for the treatment of veterans. This, we believe, would more easily meet the President's financial goal. We will present that idea in an anticipated conference call with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel in the near future.
"I only hope the administration will really listen to us then. This matter has far more serious ramifications than the President is imagining," concluded the Commander.
Good luck with Rahmbo, Commander. Hubris and the audacity of greed. Imagine asking our nation's finest to risk their lives to defend the rest of us, then not being willing to pick up the tab should they be wounded in service. These bastards in D.C. are giving billions (with a B) to ACORN, a group of unscrupulous, rag-tag hoodlums who are under indictment in multiple states, but won't pony up $540 million to care for the fine men and women who went in to battle to save their worthless asses from our enemies. And imagine the outcry were anyone to propose that they pay for their own healthcare! These hypocritical pieces of dung are not fit to call themselves Americans.
what a clever headline! ;)
ReplyDeleteAs a World War II veteran who was never wounded, never even shot at, suffered no physical damage (unless you count hangovers) and have always said that I was adequately reimbursed for my service by the G.I. Bill, I none-the-less find this Administration's attitude toward our military to be despicable.
ReplyDeleteWe have four years to do it, but we must find some way to prevent such scum from ever again being elected to govern our country.