I thought veterans got HC for life as a reward for swerving

[napi21]

their country. Why do I keep hearing about 22,000+ vets die because they don't have HC?

[Blue_In_AK]

1. I thought so, too,

but someone said they only got health care for service-related injuries.

[Lars39]

3. My brother recently started getting benefits from the VA...

he served in the late 70's...Vietnam era. He wasn't injured during his service. I don't know if he had always been eligible or if they changed the rules recently.

On edit: he has 0 income coming in right now....has cancer...that might have something to do with him being covered. :shrug:

[Love Bug]

114. Your brother is getting benefits because he is unemployed

I'm unemployed and recently was able to get enrollment in the VA. Once I'm working again if my salary rises above a certain level ($46k/yr I think it is) my status will change to compassionate care only, with associated copays and charges.

Homeless vets qualify, too. I think one reason why so many are dying without care is because they think they need a service-related health issue to qualify and that's not true.

[supernova]

4. That's what I've always understood

I hope someone with more recent info chimes in. I only have recollection of my dad's VA visits because he was part of the WWII TB epidemic.

[napi21]

5. I know that didn't USED to be true. My uncle was cared for all his life

through the vets, and when he had a stroke and lost conciousness (which he never regained) he was kept in a nice vets nursing home in Butler, Pa.

Likewise, my cousin's father in Law had diabetes and all his meds were obtained through the vets. When he got older, his leg had to be amputated due to the diabetes, and the vets paid for the artificial limb.

I don't know if something has changed and these guys were grandfathered in?

[HelenWheels]

24. VA clinics and hospitals

My brother-in-law served and was wounded in Korea. He got full medical benefits for every thing but he had to go to a VA hospital and clinic. My sister was a WAC and when she was on Medicare the VA paid for all her medications. She had to order them from the VA and they mailed them to her.

[itsrobert]

2. You're mistaken

If it's service connected, they can get healthcare for that particular ailment.

[napi21]

6. Please see my post #5. When did it change? n/t

[dschis]

13. During the Reagan years

[dflprincess]

55. I think some were grandfathered in

my friend's mom (WWII vet) and another friend's dad (Korea) went to VA for nonservice related problems. In both cases it was post-Reagan.

I think it might depend on whether or not they're eligible for private insurance or any other public programs.

[dschis]

57. Look at the hassles the VA and military has given

everyone about Agent Orange and GWS. They still don't have either right

[dflprincess]

59. And don't forget the Atomic vets.

I've known a few people whose dads were Atomic vets - all died fairly young of cancer but, of course, there was no connection between the cancers and the deliberate exposure of these men to radiation.

It's shameful enough when service personel have been exposed to known poisons or used as test subjects but it's criminal the way they're treated by the government that caused the illnesses when they do get sick.

[Toucano]

7. Depends on why they swerved, I guess.

Sorry, couldn't resist. :)

[madokie]

8. I didn't start using the VA until my 54th bday

I'm service connected so I get healthcare for whatever. Its great too. I wish everyone had the same. The VA system works good here.

[Crabby Appleton]

9. It varies depending on priority group classification

see priority group information:

http://www4.va.gov/healtheligibility/eligibility/PriorityGroupsAll.asp

[OHdem10]

10. With all the tax cuts over the years and both parties being averse

to raising taxes, an interesting concept came into being.
PayGo first introduced by Republicans and now the bible to
Democrats sounds like a winner. Since no new revenues
can be raised and you must pay for any project, program initiated.
Whats a Pol to do. Rob Peter to pay Paul. Take money from
SS Medicare Veterans.etc and put it into --new program. Example
the Chip Program. No flaming here. I am only giving an example.

Medicare is a mere shell of what it once was. There was a time
when Medicare was all you needed. NO Medi Gap policy was even
thought of. I am sure if you compared Vets Benefits to the present
you will find it is being hollowed out.

Always know that any new prorgram means cuts in other programs.
NO NEW TAXES.

Look at the shenanigans in the current Health Plan.

[Hello_Kitty]

18. Thank you. Cutting the subsidies to make sure HCR is 'budget neutral' is RIGHT IN THE BILL.

But don't bother telling the cheerleaders that.

[bobbolink]

70. And do you hear all the "progressive" uproar over the cuts?

No?

It's so easy to target us poor folk, because we have so few defenders.

Just ask Clinton... he made his politcal points by hurting welfare mothers and children.... and it didn't cost him at all, did it?

We're easy targets BECAUSE PROGRESSIVES ALLOW IT.

Plain and simple.

[Le Taz Hot]

116. I HAVE to correct you here.

NO Progressive likes this bill. It's the Party Faithful that are propping it up. PLEASE don't connect us together. We've NOTHING in common.

[GA_ArmyVet]

11. Common Misperception

Retirees can get healthcare for life, but we pay for it. we have to pay premiums each month. You do get free treatment for Service related injuries/health issues documented by the VA. They are some exceptions but for the most part it is not free, we just get access to military and VA health clinics, for a price.

[dschis]

Glad to see another retiree here

[napi21]

19. Why then do I keep hearing that 22,000+ vets die every year

because of lack of HC? If they have no money & no job, don't they qualify for Medicaid? If they have a job, isn't the Vet coveragge cheaper than trying to buy a policy from an ins. co?

Sorry for so many questions, but several programs have been talking about the # of vets who die from lack of HC over the last several days and it's reeally beewn bothering me.

[dschis]

40. Welcome to the machine

Working poor or right above the line. Some guys are so messed up from something happening in the service and getting yanked around by the system and believe me it's a system.

Example, a guy that's get his leg busted from a parachute jump. He has to be medically discharged at 18 years. In some states (the VA maintains regional offices that determine eligibility) he'll be OK. In others, the VA makes him go through a complicated process designed to save the VA money. Add to this the military off-times will not maintain proper medical records and he has hard time 'proving' his/her health problems are associated with military service. It might be obvious to people that have known him for all of those years, but the people that examine the vet will often underplay the seriousness of injuries.
The system is designed so that many DAV will give up and many VA representives don't care to do their job.
When people thank me for my 20 years of service I don't even acknowledge them. politicians included. It's really hollow especially when I see many of brothers getting ran over roughshod. Complete Bullshit. They should bring back the draft (no exceptions). They would correct those problems in a hurry.

[GA_ArmyVet]

51. I dont mind the questions

I just hope I can answer it.

Many veterans are not covered. A veteran is not neccesarily a retiree. All Military retirees are vets, but not all vets are retirees. Most Veterans don't qualify for the Lifetime care. If they are listed as disabled due to military service they can get care but it is a hard process to go through and many just dont have the ability to play the system anymore. PTSD, bureaucratic red tape, and the fact that the Government strives to make sure you are not listed as service related injuries make the process hard for many. I was dignosed with traumatic onset of Arthritis based on injuries, among other issues, I recieved jumping from planes with combat gear, but actually getting it in my records took years of fighting. I am 45 and barely able to walk now with back, knee and hip issues, but just this year got the Army to admit it was service connected 15 years after the injury. At 30 I was told that it just happens when you are old.

This is one of the reason many vets are so vehementlhy opposed to government run health care. Although we have access to facilities the treatment is done to protect a Government resource, namely us. They will treat what they need to to get you running, but their first call is to protect the Government interest. many vets feel like they would not treat us at all once the treatment is cost more than training a replacement, all in the name of saving the military/Government money. And this is while we are on active duty, it just gets worse once you retire, unless of course you are a high ranking or politically connected individual.

[dschis]

56. I'm with you brother

GWS they think...maybe. I used to be able to write. Dementia is slowly, but surely creeping on me. Knees, back, shoulder and some other stuff. I was that guy, but toughed it out until I could retire.

[quiller4]

95. Many have no idea where to turn. That is why the Standowns are

so important but this outreach work still doesn't reach many who need service. In other areas there is great coordinated outreach with county and state workers in the field with VA staff to make sure that the vets get all the care they need.

A large percentage of the homeless population are veterans and many have addiction and mental health disorders that make them unable to seek out services. It takes concerted effort to find them and connect them to service and that outreach work has been underfunded a very long time.

[Sgent]

115. Medicaid is very state dependent

In most souther states, Medicaid is for children, pregnant women, and disabled adults only -- regardless of income, etc.

[dschis]

12. Even if you retire you have to pay

That was a Republican trick. No dental care either. And yes, I'm retired Army

[sarge43]

22. Tricare has a dental plan for retirees. ddpdelta.org. n/t

[dschis]

23. Pretty expensive though

I can pay for all my care out of pocket and come out ahead. I use another cheaper, better plan

[sarge43]

28. Your call. I'm glad to have it. n/t

[itsrobert]

63. That's what I plan on doing

Save and pay out of pocket for exams/cleanings. If need be, head to Tijuana for cheap dental care.

[lumberjack_jeff]

14. "Swerving"?

I am not a spelling/typing nazi but geez.

PSA: check your subject lines for typos.

[ddeclue]

36. +1

[TicketyBoo]

79. Re: "Swerving"

I just figured it was another accepted DU misspelling like "moran."

[Kaleva]

91. Swerving=drunk driving

[HughMoran]

103. Yeah, the "hugh" could have been a joke, but "swerving"?

I wonder what the explanation is?

[CatWoman]

15. I'm a disabled vet

and the VA only pays for treatment that is associated with my disabilities.

Even with that, I'm required to show evidence of health insurance, and I still have to pay co pays for my medicine.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

16. Here's the deal.

To the best of my recollection this is the way it was when I got out in 1993. If you have a service connected disability over 30% then you have free or virtually free health care, not the greatest care and long waits but covered none the less. If you have less than 30% then any service connected disability is covered for that particular disability and you have some limited access to other health services but I don't believe they are free and you have to wait till everyone over 30% is taken care of. Retirees also have access, I'm not sure how many years that have to have served what the coverage is etc. I hope that helps some.

David

[dschis]

25. AHH No

Only service connected. Has to be 100% or 70% with caveats to get health care for life

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

38. That's odd.

I'm at 30% they have treated me for non-service connected problems, prescribed meds, filled the prescriptions, given me dental care, eye exams and have never charged me a dime. Someone must like me I guess.

[dschis]

41. Depends what state (regional center) handles it

Where do you live?

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

58. South

[dschis]

67. Cleveland and duly noted. I might move

[Obamanaut]

17. I retired from USN in 1988, and have no personal experience with

VA. From retirement to medicare elibible, I used TRICARE PRIME, paid a more than reasonable monthly fee plus a copay for dr visits - but had to use a dr in their net. Medicines were reasonable as well. Now with medicare I have as a supplement Tricare for Life.

I have a BIL who was in the Army in the 50's, has no service connected disability, but has used VA exclusively for his HC. I don't know what category he is in, but is charged on a sliding scale based on income.

My father was discharged with a disability during WW1, and didn't use the VA until he became ill in the mid 50's. He stayed in the VA hosp for about a year, finally dying of progressive muscular atrophy. He was not billed at all for that stay.

My answer is a non-answer. I don't understand how it works, but for many it works well. I would like to see medicare expanded so that everyone could have the total lack of worry that I have. I think it is doable, if the 'deciders' would make it happen.

[tabasco]

20. Not correct.

Only retirees and disabled veterans (service connected) have health care for life.

But I think indigent veterans can get taken care of.

[dschis]

27. Not FOR FREE

They have some pretty hefty copays at times

[Kaleva]

39. Depends on income

For a stretch when I was making little, I got free care from the VA. My info is still in the system but I don't bother now as the co-pay is expensive and it's cheaper being under my wife's health plan.

[dschis]

42. I think with the income levels

they use. It would have been hard to keep food in the refrigerator. I'm glad you're not there anymore

[Bitwit1234]

21. My son gets benefits but not all are free

and he is a 20 year service vet.

[demosincebirth]

26. deleted

[vadawg]

29. personally i have never used the VA system, i suppose i could and save paying insurance

but i figure i dont need to at the moment and im not to keen on having to travel to avail myself of it....

[tabasco]

30. How are you qualified? n/t

[vadawg]

31. same as lots of other people, i am entitled to full health care in the VA system

due to having been injured in combat...

[tabasco]

33. But you choose to buy private insurance?

Interesting.

[vadawg]

34. well my county picks up the tab, and i havent been bothered to contact the VA

seems like a lot of paperwork that i dont need to do at the moment, mayby later when i retire i will use the benefits...

[dschis]

44. Email me at [e-mail]

I will get in contact with someone who can get you squared away. He's really good

[vadawg]

47. thanks i sent you a PM

[tabasco]

35. Being injured in combat is not a qualification

unless it caused a permanent disability.

But of course, you knew that.

[vadawg]

37. nope i got no idea what the VA rules are, i just know that i qualify to use them

[tabasco]

43. If you were wounded by enemy fire you qualify for priority 3.

Same category as inactive reservists. Not very good.

But not just for an injury.

[vadawg]

46. as i said i dont know the specific rules as ive not bothered to look

but i have a service disability caused by enemy fire, so if as you say its not that good care at the VA then its just as well ive got private insurance..

[tabasco]

68. The care is excellent, AFAIC.

I'm a combat vet with a service-connected disability.

I gladly use the VA hospitals and have received excellent care.

I think every American should have the same care.

Where were you in combat?

[vadawg]

72. i spent 14 years as a rifleman, 10 of them in recce during the late 80's

up to the millenium, so i got to see a few places..

[tabasco]

84. Did you have to get out because of your injuries?

I was infantry too.

Got out after 12 years, then called back out of the reserves for one year.

People ask me why I didn't stay in to retire. I tell them I was tired of it.

I hope you got to sew on some stripes during those 14 years. "Rifleman" in Army lingo = E1 to E4.

[classysassy]

32. All military retirees

get the same coverage as the congress men and women.

[dschis]

45. Yea, that's basically right

Difference in pay though. They didn't have to bleed for it though

[FLDCVADem]

97. Untrue

Military retirees do not get the same healthcare plan/s as members of Congress.

[slackmaster]

48. Some veterans choose not to take benefits for which they are eligible

I knew a man, a Vietnam veteran, who died at age 52 several years ago from multiple problems. He was diabetic, had heart problems, smoked like a furnace and drank like a fish. He refused to see a doctor for any reason, and (I suspect) had been working under the table for many years and was facing possible problems with the IRS if he tried to re-enter the system.

[dschis]

52. Yea, he's an exception though

[gleaner]

49. It was true once ....

but Bush shut down a lot of the full service Veteran's hospitals in favor of "mini" clinics which were not equipped to deal with severe physical or emotional problems that veterans might have.

Bush cut funding across the board for veteran's benefits and services and the funding cuts limited severely what many of the newer vets were entitled too. Not only health insurance, but life insurance.

Bush was really heartless in a lot of ways toward the veterans. He did not attend military funerals and only visited vets in the hospital when it was a required publicity op. He treated grieving families of vets the same way. A few token condolences but for the most part they didn't exist for him.

Many of the families of veterans had to go on public assistance to survive while the head of the household was on active duty. Does that sound as cold to you as it did to me? Sending men and women overseas for unlimited tours of duty while their spouses and children had to use food stamps. They don't buy all that much, you know.

[dschis]

53. You expected anything less given his service record?

[gleaner]

64. I never expected anything of Bush ...

and he exceeded even my lack of expectations. He did more than nothing, he was inimical.

[GA_ArmyVet]

62. It was not even true when Clinton was in Office

I dont mind you harping on Bush, but it was not him that shut that off. It was Bush one the made most of the cuts after the cold war ended. That was what really hurt us.

Additionally, it was congress that did not raise the pay for soldiers so that some had to go on food stamps. I seldom blame a president for not raising my pay. He does not control the funds, Congress does. As far as the Activiate reservists being hard up when activate, I am sorry they had to lose money, but they signed up for the deal knowing they could be activate. Those of us who choose active duty gave up a lot as well, a civilian job, a hometown to go to when we leave service, the ability to buy a house and gain equity in it, since you have to sell every 4 years and move, but those are all thing we took on when we signed up. So if you want to make up there loss of pay when they get activated, I am sorry I am not that sympathetic.

[gleaner]

71. Thank you for your corrections....

I know that Clinton started some of these actions, and I didn't like it then. But the difference for me, I guess, was that Clinton was not waging a war on two fronts and I couldn't imagine what would happen later. My own stupidity, I guess, but Bush did some pretty unimaginable things. I was a civilian federal employee under Clinton, and he screwed us over pretty good too, with the connivance of Congress. We fought back for greater parity for both civilians and the military and our unions were always going to court to try and stop Congress, but it either takes so long to litigate that no one benefits, or they lost. It seems kind of trivial though, when it is compared to loss of life and limb, and Clinton was following a course that Reagan had started. And so it went from one president and Congress to another getting worse all the time.

When you say it was Bush that made most of the cuts after the cold war ended, do you mean Papa Bush or Baby Bush? That would be closer to Papa Bush's time in office. I am no admirer of him either but he seems a lot more benign than his son.

I was referring to active duty soldiers as well as reservists. You both make sacrifices. Full time active duty may make the greater sacrifice, but who am I to say? I have never been a soldier. You are educating me. I would hope though, that you can find some sympathy for the reservists. I don't think anyone could have predicted Rumsfeld's actions in reducing the number of soldiers at the time they were needed most. He had a vision of a "small army" doing a job that it was essentially impossible for a small army to do. It was a crack brain decision made by another man who had never been in the military.

I know that Congress passes the money bills and changes in policy, but the president can have great influence with them. He is the Commander in Chief, and regardless of which president it it, don't you think he should concern himself with his forces and try to see that they get what they need during a shooting war as well as when they come home afterwords?

[GA_ArmyVet]

74. Yes, I was talking about Bush the first.

Clinton and Bush 1,in my opinion were of the same cut when it came to the "peace dividend" that was supposed to come from the cold war ending. Both were poorly thought out political maneuvering. It did not save any money, and it cost us in our ability to sustain a credible force. Prior to this our mandate was to be able to fight an extended two front war and to do it without contracted resources. That changed rapidly after the Gulf War. And they hurt Government employees as well, I agree, but that is well out side my area of expertise.


It is true all veterans made sacrifices of some kind, and I would not say Active make a bigger sacrifice, just different. I am sympathetic to any fellow service member in need, my point was more along the line of the fact that they knew the deal when they signed up, just like me. They have to live within the pay scale just like I do. I know it hurts but they get a lot of benefits when they are not activated, a second pay check, earning a two retirements at the same time, so that is just one of the drawbacks they know is possible when they enlist, and they should not whine about it when it happens. Just like when any soldier refuses to deploy, I am sorry, I don't care that he does not want to go, none of us do, but you had to know when you signed up it could happen.


You are dead on the "small army" response. Their plan was to civilianize everything that was not a "trigger puller" reduce the forces down to mandated levels and to create jobs to stimulate the economy. The last part worked as well over 250,000 jobs were created along with thousands of contract jobs. The rest did not work out so well.

Oh and thanks for the polite and well thought out response.

[gleaner]

76. You're welcome ..

I'm here to learn as well as to post. I get what you are saying about reservists, but I was thinking of my husband during Viet Nam. He enlisted when he was 18 near the end of the war so he was not deployed overseas. He went to Beale AF Base instead and fulfilled all of his active duty obligation as the war was winding down. Afterward he went into the Air Force reserve and worked for them full time as well as participating in the military exercises. I don't know if it is different now, that was a long time ago, but that was why he felt so strongly opposed to the stop loss policy. During Viet Nam the deployments were limited to one year unless the soldier requested to go back. He doesn't think that a Reservist who fulfilled his active duty obligation, plus his reserve obligation (as some of them have) should be taken involuntarily and posted endlessly. You have your opinion and I do respect that, but I tend to agree with my husband.

Please don't make me, uh dead, just say I'm wrong. That's a lot easier on my old bones.;) I don't think of the small army situation the same way that you do. They basically gave so much money to Halliburton and KBR for not as much service as they used to get by detailing the soldiers to supply, cook and build for themselves. I read about soldiers getting dysentery because KBR didn't purify the water sufficiently and Halliburton "lost" eight billion dollars which no one has ever made them account for. That would have paid for a lot of veterans benefits. The jobs that they created were not for the most part, given to Americans. It was like the corporations here outsourcing and cutting so far back on the civilian job pool that many more people are unemployed than ever before. It contributes greatly to the recession.

The federal employee stuff is all in the past for me, because I got MS and had to retire early, but they attempted to privatize us as well. It was much more expensive and usually devolved into a fiasco. Also they could not protect the confidentiality of the information the contractors were dealing with. I dealt with taxpayer information. If I had leaked information they could have stuck me in jail. Private contractors, no. One private contractor's employees shredded tax returns when their work loads got too heavy. We just worked the returns. It really did not work out well for them at all.

The military privatization may have been intended to stimulate the economy, though I remain jaded about actual motivations of those involved, but in the end it did not. People are losing their homes now. They can't find work. Inflation is here. We pay much more for less. I don't think any of it worked out well.

It wasn't only the families of the reservists who required financial help. I'm a Quaker and we routinely helped active duty families with food, clothing and other basic needs not just reservists. In the end it doesn't change anything. We're all human and we are here to help each other. You pick the way you can help the most and pursue it. If you don't, then what do you have really?

[GA_ArmyVet]

90. No I would not ignore you or your post

especiallyt just for stating your opinion. And I think we are essentially in agreement for the most part


1. During Viet Nam the deployments were limited to one year unless the soldier requested to go back. He doesn't think that a Reservist who fulfilled his active duty obligation, plus his reserve obligation (as some of them have) should be taken involuntarily and posted endlessly. You have your opinion and I do respect that, but I tend to agree with my husband.

I mostly agree here, I dont like the involuntary extensions, stop loss actions either, I just dont make the distinction betwen the reservist and active duty..I think they both got the short end of the stick.


2. I don't think of the small army situation the same way that you do. They basically gave so much money to Halliburton and KBR for not as much service as they used to get by detailing the soldiers to supply, cook and build for themselves. I read about soldiers getting dysentery because KBR didn't purify the water sufficiently and Halliburton "lost" eight billion dollars which no one has ever made them account for. That would have paid for a lot of veterans benefits. The jobs that they created were not for the most part, given to Americans. It was like the corporations here outsourcing and cutting so far back on the civilian job pool that many more people are unemployed than ever before. It contributes greatly to the recession.....The military privatization may have been intended to stimulate the economy, though I remain jaded about actual motivations of those involved, but in the end it did not. People are losing their homes now. They can't find work. Inflation is here. We pay much more for less. I don't think any of it worked out well.



I agree. I was not meaning to imply it was good idea to civilianize most of the services. I was just providing the background and the reasoning that was put forth. I still think it was one of the worst things we could done from a military, and economic standpoint.


3.It wasn't only the families of the reservists who required financial help. I'm a Quaker and we routinely helped active duty families with food, clothing and other basic needs not just reservists. In the end it doesn't change anything. We're all human and we are here to help each other. You pick the way you can help the most and pursue it. If you don't, then what do you have really?

I agree. I really dont have any animosity for reservist, we could not get by without them. And in the end they are all my brothers in arms.

[gleaner]

93. I think we are ...

in agreement as well. Thanks for the good discussion and teaching me some things I didn't know. You're a good writer and you express your thoughts and opinions very well. Keep on posting. I think we will all learn a lot from you.

[Dan]

105. I've heard of that

plus that the civilians don't have to go into a combat zone.... whereas in the old days, when everything was done by the soldiers, if you needed - you had to go.

Wonder how this is working out...

[Knight Hawk]

50. Priority System

There is a priority system based on whether it is service connected first and then on your income.

[dschis]

54. I know

But that systems been broken for a long time. You have to be really really messed up and/or be basically indigent before you qualify outside the specific injury.
The system is stacked against them. Don't take my word there have court cases that say it

[era veteran]

60. NO Reagan fucked it up

I have service connected, minor disabilities, that would get me in but contrary to what I was told at enlistment it isn't free the VA wants your insurance company to pay. I had wire and a BROKEN stainless steel pin in my kneecap for two years. When I told the triage CLERK I was in pain he would say "You just want drugs" He was right my knee hurt. This was a Catch 22 classic. After I finally got regular insurance I never went back. My first regular doctor asked me how long that pin had been broken? . Maybe they're better now but they lied to me & gave me fuck you medical care. Two things I found out: One, the administration offices at VA hospitals are inaccessible, private elevators, & the VA in Lexington KY had more federal police working than doctors. They surrounded me once when I went off. I could really go off well in those days, 1979 Fuck Reagan & fuck the V fucking A. LIARS

[dschis]

65. Yea what is going on there?

I can understand a little security, if you have to have it then use one of the federal services. I know one of their duties is escort mental patients around. Dayton didn't do it for years, but national came in and they had to start

[spanone]

61. hillary clinton?

[dschis]

66. What's she got to with it?

It was the Repugs that screwed it up

[dschis]

69. Propaganda, utter BS. Just a recruiting tool for the machine

That's why none of children will go close to the military

[cynatnite]

73. Because for some vets it's almost like paying for insurance...

While many veterans qualify for cost-free health care services based on a compensable service-connected condition or other qualifying factor, most veterans are required to complete an annual financial assessment or Means test to determine if they qualify for cost-free services. Veterans whose gross household income and net worth exceed the established thresholds as well as those who choose not to complete the financial assessment must agree to pay the required copays to become eligible for VA health care services. Along with their enrollment confirmation and Priority Group assignment, enrollees will receive information regarding their copay requirements, if applicable.

Certain nonservice-connected veterans and 0% noncompensable service-connected veterans are asked to report gross household income and net worth from the previous calendar year.

In determining your VA Health Care benefit it is generally to your advantage to provide your income information if your gross household income (less allowable deductions) is equal to or less than the amount listed in the VA National Income Thresholds. From the amounts you report on the Financial Worksheet VA will calculate and inform you of your income-based benefits.

Current year income and net worth can be considered when there is a hardship .

NOTE: If you decline to give your financial information, VA will—

•Place you in Priority Group 8 AND
•Require you to agree to pay the copay fees for Group 8 before treatment can be provided
The financial information we gather from your Financial Assessment (means test) will determine —

•Your Enrollment Priority Group assignment and
•If you will or will not be required to pay copays
VA determines your priority group and copay requirements based on set income and net worth limits. We refer to these limits as the VA National Income Thresholds for VA Health Care Benefits.

VA is required to bill private health insurance providers for medical care, supplies and prescriptions provided for care veterans receive for their non-service connected conditions. Generally, VA cannot bill Medicare, but can bill Medicare supplemental health insurance for covered services.

All veterans applying for VA medical care are required to provide information on their health insurance coverage, including coverage provided under policies of their spouses. Veterans are not responsible for paying any remaining balance of VA’s insurance claim not paid or covered by their health insurance, and any payment received by VA may be used to offset "dollar for dollar" a veteran’s VA copay responsibility.

•Your Priority Group assignment will be changed
•You will be required to pay copay
•The facilities that provided you care will be notified to bill you for services provided during the period covered by your income assessment, and
•You will be provided with your due process/appeal rights.

http://www4.va.gov/healtheligibility/costs/

Also, VA facilities aren't a common thing so many vets miss out on getting any kind of health care. We're lucky because our VA hospital is only 30 minutes away. Majority of vets aren't that fortunate.

Oh, and the vets that DO get it for free for life...you get that by doing at least 20 years of active duty.

[era veteran]

78. Great description for 2009 rules

The 1972 rule, toward the end of Vietnam, was FREE MEDICAL CARE FOR LIFE. They couldn't get anyone to join the hashish Army then. When they talked with me they almost shit on themselves. Some college, max GT score, great shape, etc. & no one was joining. The end of the draft and the 1973 OPEC embargo changed that. So AFTER the Army starts getting good enlistees again they went back on their word. My COC's Nixon, Ford,& Carter did not do it Reagan did. While I'm pissing off on Reagan one more thing. He did not end the cold war, economics did, Afghanistan did & guys like me , freezing our asses off sitting in tanks in the Fulda Gap did. The government lied and cheated us. Of course, they knew a generation of soldiers exposed to agent orange were going to start dying slow and miserable deaths that to this day they won't cop to. Fuck the V fucking A. Peace, Richard

[Thothmes]

80. That was for career soldiers that retired from the service

VA HC was still dependent on service related injury and income.

[era veteran]

81. They promised free medical care for life

OK I was stupid enough to believe my government then. I have grown since, maybe still stupid, but smart enough to not trust the government. I wish some younger DUer would go to a recruiter and tape the recruiters through the process. I bet they have a whole new bunch of lies they use now, Fuck the V fucking A. Peace Richard PS my family, mother,sister . and I were kicked out of promised dependant health care in the late 60's. My dad was a lifer.

[noamnety]

106. I thought I was getting health care for life.

ha. I didn't even have health benefits for a full year when I was drilling on weekends in the army reserves and working full time as a civilian (govt employee, noncontractor) for the army. After a year my civilian job was transitioned from temp to permanent hire and I qualified for benefits.

But it sucked that for that year my whole family was uninsured and I was working two jobs for the army.

[Obamanaut]

82. The 'free medical care for life' was around even when I joined in

1960.

The change you talk about caused much uproar amongst the 'already retired' as well as active duty personnel. It involved medicare at 65 with military care ending at that time. Even retirement benefits and eligibility were changed. Reenlistments dropped, even among potential careerists.

The uproar worked. Health care changed a bit. For example, I used Tricare from my retirement in 1988 until age 65. Now I have medicare, and Tricare for Life, as a supplemental insurance.

The same period that is addressed in your response saw one of the largest pay increases for the military of my entire career. Say what you will, disregarding the danger inherent in a military career, the pay now is not all that bad - and the health care for military and dependents, active and retired, is outstanding.

[era veteran]

87. Army Slogans

Of course you remember: "Volar" "Be all you can be" etc. through the years. In the 50's the official slogan was: "We take care of our own", which was posted over the main gates at Ft. Clayton & Ft. Gordon.I guess that was bullshit. They kicked us out of dependent care in the 60's & it took forever to tie my fathers retirement pay that was set in 1960 to anything connected to the inflation rate. We gave they take. The government uses you and throws you away. The money did not go up when I was in 1973-1977 in fact it went down. When I first passed the pro-pay test ($50.00 tax free a month) they stopped it the next two months cutting the $50.00 to $25.00 then to none. That was Nixon. I am glad it is better for you. Peace, Richard

[Obamanaut]

88. Some of the pay raises over the years were good, others not so much. Here

are a few examples:

1973 = 6%, '74 = 7.3%, '75 = 5.5%, '76 = 5%, '77 = 4.8%, '79 = 5.5%, '80 = 7%, '81 = 11.7%, '82 = 14.3%

Since then pay increases have been ranging from 2.something to around 6, depending in large part on the CPI.

If one looks at and compares pay charts - then and now, the now pay is not all that shabby.

ETA link http://www.moaa.org/controller.asp?pagename=lac_paygap

[era veteran]

94. Pro pay cut= lost wages

[Obamanaut]

96. Pro pay is/was not a guaranteed part of compensation, but rather

a 'perk' for some career fields, and as such were not normally considered when making a budget - for most prudent members. A $25 'loss' would have been more than made up by the (cumulative about 25%) pay raises over a/the 4 year period.

The $25 "loss" (that you received for a time) would have been made up for by the pay increases over the period you listed as service dates. For many, one single pay increase would have done it.

Inasmuch as compensations with 'pay' in the title (flight pay, flight deck hasardous duty pay, etc) are taxable and 'allowances' are not (clothing and maintenance allowance, housing allowance, etc) are not, "most" who lost pro 'pay' would not have seen a net loss to income.

Many who talked of losing income due to changes in the pro pay system were merely disgruntled employees. I saw the same thing with reenlistment bonuses; some career fields were big winners, others didn't get much at all.

[era veteran]

99. The lost was fifty dollars a month immediatly slashed to twenty-five bucks

his was '73 as prices skyrockeded and inflation ran hard. I new married E-5's on foodstamps. The pay was alful a good 0f not much = not much.

[era veteran]

101. Extra post/ a screwup

[era veteran]

100. The loss was fifty dollars immediately slashed to twenty-five ( tax free)

This was 1973 as inflation ran rampant, gas prices through the roof. I knew married E/5's on food stamps. The pay was awful, your nicely laid out yearly %'s don't take into account that a % of shit is shit.I was critical MOS 11/ W1, was I disgruntled? Hell yes. They took money away from someone not making much. I am sorry but I lived it, your rationalization about the great pay is not the reality I experienced. Nor will I forget. Best wishes. Peace Richard

[Obamanaut]

104. Well gee. The draft ended in 1973, with the last conscripts being

inducted in June of that year. So, if a person was drafted between January and June, then bad luck and crummy lottery numbers got 'em.

If however, a person volunteered January - June while the draft was still in force OR at any time after that (even up to today), then it's a case of 'you buy your ticket, you take your ride.'

People who had bad experiences such as you described with retired parents and medical care, and despite that volunteered anwyay, well, there's the ticket thing again.

During that same period I knew young married enlisted men, E4 and E5, some of whom were buying houses in the Memphis area and were NOT on food stamps. Most of the people I knew did NOT get any prociency pay at all, and still no food stamps. I guess it's a matter of frugality or sound money management.

I also think you'll find that monies rec'd that have 'pay' in the title were not tax exempt. Compensations with 'allowance' as part of the name were (housing allowance, clothing allowance, subsistance allowance, etc.)

FYI. I joined in 1960, was in for all the 60's, and the 70's, and most of the 80's. During those 28 years observed many disgruntled personnel. Saw many who complained about no advancement, and when asked, admitted they had not completed any of the requirements for advancement. Naturally, because of that, their pay remained lower than it could have been.

The inflation that you mentioned was the same inflation for all of us, the gas prices went up for all of us, we all lived it - but some were more prudent than others. Maybe that's the key.

[era veteran]

110. I' sorry but you sound like a fucking recruiter

My # was in 1972 , joined in Jan 1973, My family is/ has been fucked over by the Regular Army Of the USA & the VA. Apologize. rationalize, But YOU are an indoctrinated lifer. I still thank-you for your service but we come " From different tribes" I believe that I was The youngest E/6 in the Army. I must have done something right, Please enlighten me on something else. We have reached an impasse. Realize I was born in the Army. raised in the Army so just maybe I know something. I will always have a love/hate thing with the Army. Like Pruitt in Jones' book( "From here to Eternity", Still the best book written on peacetime service.) Peace, Richard FTA 11E40W1 figure that out. Range 42

[Obamanaut]

111. FTA looks like a very not original takeoff on the slogan from what

became the Hell's Angels - FTW (F*** The World) with Army being substituted for World, followed by the mos for some sort of tank operator.

You are harboring ill feelings for perceived wrongs that are more than 30 years old. Time to move on, or expect ulcers.

Now, change 'impasse' in your post to 'ignore', which I am doing and we'll be finished.

[era veteran]

112. What model underwood typewriter did you use?

Some sort of tank operator indeed. You are a REMF. Rationalize all you want. I am finished with arguing for an apologist for the military. I never even knew any lifers that thought the money was good. FTA: either was Fun,Travel,& Adventure or Fuck the Army which all real soldiers knew. Some sort of tank operator indeed. Negative contact out.

[nadinbrzezinski]

75. Because I got to pay TRICARE prime every month

and regular tricare ain't that good and many of those vets are also homeless.

Now what I pay for Prime should be what most people pay for their health care... hell I'd be wiling to go UP and would have to if we had national health care... but it would still be very affordable.

[B Calm]

77. If you have a family income over 29,000 you don't qualify for VA HC.

[Lasher]

83. So many misconceptions.

I have VA health care for life. I pay no premium. Copay for office visits is $15. Copay for a 30 day prescription is $8. They will treat me for any condition. Their medical care is excellent. The biggest shortcoming is that I have to travel a long way for anything more elaborate than an office visit at a nearby clinic.

I have separate retiree medical insurance from a private sector employer. The VA bills them, since they are considered my secondary insurance provider. This billing costs me nothing. This relationship is exactly the same as it is when you have dual insurance with two private sector providers. The VA does not require me to have this secondary insurance.

I was drafted in 1969. I did my 2 years and got out. No combat, no service connected disability. I am not living in a dumpster. I am what the VA categorizes as Enrollment Priority Group 8. VA health care was promised to me when I served.

I first signed up for VA benefits during 2002. Beginning on January 17, 2003 the VA stopped enrolling new Priority Group 8 veterans whose income exceeded their thresholds. This new means testing was a special 'support the troops' gift from the Bush administration. It had never been imposed before, and restrictions were quite harsh. That's why I mentioned above that I do not live in a dumpster. My income is above their thresholds.

I signed up less than a year before the cutoff because I knew how much Republicans, particularly the extremist GWB administration, hated our social programs. I'm sorry to say I was right to have guessed they might restrict this benefit. Fortunately for many of us, the VA will not eject Priority Group 8 vets who were enrolled prior to 01/17/03.

Obama and Congressional Democrats have not so far rectified this, but they have taken a step in the right direction. New regulations went into effect on June 15, 2009 to enable the VA to relax income restrictions on enrollment for health benefits. While this new provision does not remove consideration of income, it does increase income thresholds.

[Hubert Flottz]

85. Halliburton needs that money more than the veterans do!

Yes we were lied to. Being lied to by republicans is a fact of life.

[old mark]

86. Never did, never will. Disabled vets get disability and VA "care".

Lifelong military gets pensions and VA "care". regular short timers get zip, unless any problems are service related and you can prove it.

My sister in law's dad was on the waiting list to get into a VA hospital for treatment of a service incurred contition that threatened his life. They kept him waiting, moving the admittion date further ahead till he died.
Regular GI benefits were severely cut by Nixon.
WWII vets had great bennies, Vietnam vets had little in comparison, getting worse all the time.

Thanks for your service, don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

mark

[southernyankeebelle]

89. A soldier that retires from the military after 20 yrs gets medical coverage. There was

a time years ago they didn't have to pay for anything. Even the family members got free care until 21 or 26 if they went to college. Sometime in the early 90s they started charging families with healthcare coverage. We retired and my husband has Tricare and we have to pay for it. I don't like having to pay it but that is the way they do it now. Now if a soldier serves in the military less than 20 yrs and lets say he gets hurt in combat they usually have a service connected and can get health care. If a soldier serves 2, 4, 6 yrs. They don't get medical coverage.

[Obamanaut]

92. Have you been in touch with your closest Tricare service center,

or have you rec'd a tricare benefits booklet? If not, I can give you the addresses for your local area.

There are three levels of tricare - prime has an annual fee that can be paid in installments, and has a $12 copay per office visit.

I use the national mail order pharmacy (NMOP) for continuing Rx (thyroid, cholesterol, etc), but the local CVS for the random occurring ones.

When I turned 65 and became eligible for medicare, I got tricare for life as my supplement, but still use the NMOP. There is no fee for tricare for life.

[DiverDave]

98. It used to be that if

you were a vet, they would treat you.
I went in,years ago when I didnt have ins. and they took care of me.
met a guy who broke both ankles and they took care of him.
I dont know if that policy still applys

[spin]

102. It depends...

I'm defined as a priority 8 veteran.

I'm a Vietnam era vet. I never served in Vietnam but I was in the service during that time.

I was never injured in the service.

My income is below the limits set by the VA but my net worth is above those limits.

When I enlisted I was told I would have heathcare for life. When I went to apply for it, they had new regulations that screwed me.

Hopefully, Obama will fix this. If he can give billions and billions to the banks to bail them out, he should consider financing VA healthcare.

[alarimer]

107. Not unless they are covered under Tricare.

Which costs something like $400 a YEAR in premiums. This is about what I think we ALL should pay for health insurance.

But if they don't buy it, they are only covered for service-related injuries and illnesses.

[swilton]

109. My ex-husband who served 20 years only pays $232/yr.

for Tri-Care.

I served 20 years in the Navy Reserve (4 years active duty + 16 years of drills, etc.)and just recently got my retirement letter in the mail. I'm now told that I'm eligible for Tri-Care because reservists get the same benefits for reserve duty as the veterans who were serving 20 years of active duty.

I certainly intend to take advantage of it because the benefits include dental and eye care - which I've been paying for out of pocket for all of these years with an HMO or the Blue Cross. I feel that the HMO's and BC have ripped me and other people off enough that I don't want anything to do with them.

[CANDO]

108. I served 5 yrs in the 80's and I don't get anything from the VA except...

The VA mortgage program and a flag when I die. When I served you only got health care for life if you served at least 20 yrs and retired.

[JonLP24]

113. I don't have HC for life

I think that applies to those that served 20+ years thus retiring. I can get the same coverage they have but I have to pay for it which I believe I waited to long to do.

[MindPilot]

117. Well that's easy to fix.

Obama could get his "supports the military" cred with a single executive order. If you served; you get healthcare. That's one big chunk of uninsured taken care of right there.