Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent (PA-15) today stated his opposition to President Obama’s proposal to force veterans into private insurance to pay for treatment of combat and service-related injuries.In a news release, Congressman Dent states, “The United States government must honor the moral and financial responsibility we have to our veterans who are wounded in the service of this nation. I share the concern to find ways to trim the federal budget, but this proposal is misguided. For an Administration that has borrowed and spent more than $1 trillion in two months, and now proposes a budget of $3.9 trillion more, this plan which will jeopardize the care of our wounded warriors demonstrates misplaced priorities.
“The American Legion and other veterans’ groups oppose this proposal, and with good reason. The cost of freedom has been paid by these veterans. The cost of treating their service-related injuries should be borne by the government that sent them into harm’s way. ”
16 comments:
What did anyone expect from Obama?
In the campaign he said our service men and women were indiscriminately bombing innocent civilians (a charge that no left-wing organ has been able to prove). He slandered the military then and never took it back or apologized. It's a certainty that he still holds anything military-related in contempt. They're just evil baby killers to Barry and Rahm and the "change" crowd. They're lucky they get anything after what Obama said they did.
Dent's just clinging to his guns and religion. Bring the troops home - and then spit on them like was done after Viet Nam. Dent needs to get with the times.
Anon 633pm, I have no idea where your last paragraph is coming from? What did Dent do here that you say what you said?
The Banker
I'm a bit confused. It seems hypocritical because on the official Whitehouse site it says, "Over the next five years, the budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs will increase by over $25 billion. These funds will be used to expand the VA health care program so that in can serve an additional 500,000 veterans by 2013..."
It appears that if a vet has private insruance, Obama wants private insuarnce companys to reimburse the VA. So it's not exactly like saying he saying he's forcing Vets to pay for their own care. That's a bit of distortion. If they did, it would drive the insurance payments through the roof. Nothing specficly said about when they don't have private insurance if it actually forces them to buy some.
That said, WH Spokesman Gibbs said today there's no final decision. The hell there isn't. Americia will not accept this PERIOD & no way in hell Congress going to let that happen! He should never have even thought for 2 secs this one's NOT going to happen. He needs to put this crappy idea to bed and quick!
Is it unpatriotic to suggest the VA does a lousy job, so perhaps private health coverage would be an improvement?
Banker, I'm being angrily sarcastic, which impeded my clarity. Dent is honorable in shaming this dishonorable administration. Semper Fidelis.
Today we found out that AIG was giving out $165M in bonuses to Execs. Today, my employer (a large Federal contractor) advised our sector that hourly people who do not have billable work not to show up for work and salary folks to take comp leave or leave without pay.
Back in January Charlie Dent voted against HR384 which called for tighter bailout rules for the remaining &700B TARP. The bill pressures banks to use large portion of the bailout funds for new lending and also to curb the rate of foreclosures (the original intent of the TARP). Equally important, this bill also set limits on executive compensation and curbed the use of TARP funds for mergers and acquisitions.
We never really got an explanation why Rep Dent voted against a bill that would have limited Exec compensation, however, this was the prelude to the partly line Stimulus vote. I know quite a few workers who could find a better use for that bonus money. By now just about every one knows someone close who has been laid off. Partisan politics on both sides has got to end.
Dent is a hypocrite. He sat by while Pres. Bush let vetern's lay in filth and cut back vetern help. This while standing in front of more flags than any othjer President. They Republican hyocrites, at least Obama is trying to resplve an issue the Republicans have done nothing about. Charlie the imposter.
Bush never cut a dime, despite Keith Olberman's specious claims as repeated by his cranky sheep.
All of this rhetoric is obviuosly coming from people who are not at all familiar witht he VA system, or Tric-care (Champus) systems that are indeed in need of upgrading. There are admitedly waits for our veterans to get outpatient care and some services locally. But Veterans are not lying in filth. You have obviously never been to a VA ward.
I do it all the time. The critical care that our sons and daughters receive at the major inception clnics is beyond what is available in the private sector locally. The miracles that are being worked in our VA burn, amputee and brain trauma centers is cutting edge, and often ends up in civilian hospital several years later. The Fisher House system allows families to live nearby their soldier while they undergo treatment and rehab, which improves the lives on both sides of the issue.
As far as Dent goes. NO ONE has done more to help our guys and girls in the military I see him doing it quietly all the time.And if you actually call or write his office for an explanation of his actions, he will explain the garbage that has been tucked unseen into a bill to make it something other than what it appears. He does his research.
Private health insurance is not going to solve anything for our troops. Perhaps down the line for long term healthcare, but wounded warriors need the high tech available at VA trauma clnics. By the time they can use civilian insuarnce we all will be in government health care and sitting in long lines anyway.
(Do not throw out Walter Reed a an example,,That area was slated for closure and reopened when our casuality rates were much lower than expected but our survivable wound rates went through the roof. Reed is closing period)Our mortality rate went from 25% in Nam to 7% in OIF and OEF. That requires more specialized hospitals and fewer morques. THank God
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND HER MEN AND WOMEN ON THE LINES THEY SHOULD NOT BE POLITCAL PAWNS NOW OR EVER
Especailly when it is coming from people who are not involved with them except as theory and have never held a hand or contacted a family, or helped pay for an angel flight.
Congressman Dent was right to vote against all these spending bills. This Dem congress along with Obama have passed mass spending bills they haven't even read. That alone is good reason to vote no!
Buried in Tarp 1 was the allowance for existing contracts, which were honored in the $165M bonuses.
What's an outrage to me is Frank and Dodd, and the rest acting so outraged. What a bunch of hypocrites.
It's time America purges herself of representatives from both sides of the aisle, in any form of government, who do not read what they vote for.
How about the Vets wife and kids. Their insurance rates will either skyrocket or they will be dropped like a hot potato. Foolish move by Obama.
Retired ASD teacher here.
Sure does sound like a foolish move. Some observers even think it is a calculated strategy that will help lead to socialized medicine.
I don't know all the details, but it seems to me, our soldiers would be faced with various deductibles, annual/lifetime limits, etc. Add in policy cancelations, and it's easy to see why the America Legion is seriously concerned.
EVERY American who is courageous enough to offer their own life for this country, is injured or worse, deserves to be cared for by our country in a manner different than private citizens.
As much as I suspect some of the insurance industry, how can they possibly plan for an outbreak of war and the increased costs that would bring to them.
I firmly believe asking private industry to take over OUR responsibility to our heroes is simply the wrong way to go.
LVCI,
Thanks for the very thorough analysis, which is better than I saw in the online news summaries.
Anonymous 10:32, maybe before you jump to conclusions about partisanship, you should first take a look at the facts. Chairman Dodd admitted that he put in the protections which allows these executives to keep their excessive bonuses. He apparently did this at the urging of some of the Administration people. Dont imply that Dent's vote wouldve somehow changed this whole situation. In fact, Dent and the others that opposed have been proven right. Congress and the Administration have acted imprudently and now we, the taxpayers, are making millionaires, multi-millionaires with no recourse.
Anon 1129
HR384 (Tarp Reform and Accountability Act) was an amendment to add transparency and accountability to the TARP Act. To the best of my knowledge, it did not increase spending that was already in the original TARP. You may recall the original TARP was passed during Bush’s term in Sept 08. Over time, we observed how the money was being spent, mis-spent, or not spent. This reform Act was an attempt to better protect the remaining TARP funds and the American Taxpayer’s investment. Let’s assume you are right. It wasn’t party politics. Then what was it? I do not claim to be an expert on this Bill. I raise concerns when I first saw the vote tally back in January and again after the $165M bonus give away. That’s not how I want the taxpayer’s money to be spent. I presume many agree.
BTW, it is not hypocrisy to admit a mistake or attempt to improve a fluid situation.
Support out Troops!
I have been seen several times by the staff at the V.A. Hospital in Charleston S.C. and the care I have received has been excellent.I would not want the V.A. system to change
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