[cdw]

http://www.politicsd...home-from-iraq/

Quote

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who wants military services to slash $100 billion in overhead over the next five years, previously said he would attempt to protect jobs and benefits like college tuition, child care, and housing—but has more recently indicated that nothing is off the table when it comes to potential cuts.

I'm finding this more than a bit annoying. We ask everything of these people and their families and now they're supposed to just suck it up. Hell, in this economy they are lucky if they come home and are able to find jobs for god sakes.
Be prepared for the tragic consequences...
I'll be doing some letter writing in the next couple of days. I'm sure this has happened in the past but enough is enough.

[Biker]

Won't be long before there aren't any benefits to speak of. They're already gutted health care for retirees, along with a host of other perks that used to be guaranteed. Par for the course.

[Arc]

Biker, on 03 September 2010 - 02:20 AM, said:

Won't be long before there aren't any benefits to speak of. They're already gutted health care for retirees, along with a host of other perks that used to be guaranteed. Par for the course.

Not disagreeing with you just inquiring: How have they done that? In what way. I ask because obviously they are entitled to VA Medical Coverage like I have which is unlimited and free except for 8 buck co-pay on prescriptions or if you make more than about 42K per year then there are co-pays for other medical services but they are reasonable as I recall. The VA does offer dental coverage too but the "qualifications" are obscenely tough, you've had to have won the Medal of Honor, been wounded, and killed 500 guys to qualify type stuff. It's ridiculous.

[Biker]

Arc, on 03 September 2010 - 05:09 AM, said:

Not disagreeing with you just inquiring: How have they done that? In what way. I ask because obviously they are entitled to VA Medical Coverage like I have which is unlimited and free except for 8 buck co-pay on prescriptions or if you make more than about 42K per year then there are co-pays for other medical services but they are reasonable as I recall. The VA does offer dental coverage too but the "qualifications" are obscenely tough, you've had to have won the Medal of Honor, been wounded, and killed 500 guys to qualify type stuff. It ridiculous.

Used to be you could go to any military facility and receive treatment. Not any more. Now, you have to enroll in Tricare and pay. If you can't afford it, then yes, IF there's a VA close by, you can use that, or you can take your chances and wait at a military hospital on base for a chance to be seen. No guarantees.

[MNeedham73]

My dad has been bitching about this (rightfully so) for years. Not even going to the VA is free. Dad has had to pay out many times that he's gone to the local VA hospital.

Supposedly, there are supposed to be combining the local VA hospital with the Naval hospital at Great Lakes Naval Station in the near future and, according to dad, that will help him out quite a bit. Haven't verified that myself though.

[Biker]

A couple of months ago, the VA contacted me wanting to know how to get a hold of Leo's sister. Seems they wanted $$$ for his last hospital stay. To say I was flabbergasted is an understatement.

[MNeedham73]

Yeah, that sounds about right. They actually took money out of my dad's military retirement check once. I'm pretty sure they didn't even notify dad before they did it.

[LtC Dan]

Even when I was on active duty, changes began. I was surprised to learn upon returning from a tour in Germany that I was required to purchase both medical and dental insurance for my family. Before we left, the family could go to the base hospital. After we returned, no such luck. That was early 90s.

[Biker]

Yep... Education benefits have changed, health care, etc. etc. etc. Wouldn't surprise me in the least to find that retirees can't even use base facilities (BX, Class VI, etc.) soon. Bastages.

[cdw]

That all is just so incorrect. The deal was supposed to be people joined or were drafted, they went, risked their lives, their families suffered and you got taken care of when you got back or if you didn't come back, your family was taken care of.
I'm disgusted. And yes, while I can write letters or make a call, there really isn't a thing I can do to influence what they are doing.