  The American Veteran's #1 Information Source Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage VA NEWS FLASH from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 03-17-2009 |
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The American Veteran's #1 Information Source Click here to make VA Watchdog dot Org your homepage VA NEWS FLASH from Larry Scott at VA Watchdog dot Org -- 03-17-2009 |
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CAN'T WIN -- Obama administration adamant about proposal to bill insurance companies for service-connected VA care if vet has coverage, something Congress won't allow.
Story below:
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by Larry Scott
The Obama administration is gearing up for a fight it can't win. We have reported that the 2010
VA budget includes allowing the agency to bill private insurance companies
for service-connected healthcare... something it can't do now. Story
here... It should be noted that this does not mean veterans would have to buy healthcare... only those who already have it could have their insurer billed. It should also be noted: THIS WON'T HAPPEN! I can't find a Member of Congress who would let this get into a VA budget. Not to mention, ALL of the veterans' service organizations (VSOs) are against this... and that's a lot of clout inside the Beltway.
On Monday, March 16, 2009, representatives of the major VSOs met with President Obama and staffers from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the Roosevelt Room of the White House... just prior to Obama's visit to VA's Central Office to celebrate 20 years as a Cabinet-level agency. The meeting was cordial... and the VSOs expressed their view that the "insurance" proposal was not a good idea. From someone who was there: It appeared that OMB was somewhat apologetic about the "insurance" proposal. It appears this is a "learning curve" problem... new staffers, and all. And, President Obama fully understood the VSOs' concerns. Also, it is thought that when the budget finally comes out, the "insurance" proposal won't be in it. More and more it appears that the "new kids in town" are moving forward with proposals like this one without fully comprehending the impact. I was told: "They'll learn." However, the American Legion doesn't agree with this assessment (see below). It's time for the White House to back off this proposal, now. It is only antagonizing the veteran community... while at the same time uniting them. This reminds me of the politician who said, "I've united the people. They all hate me." Not a good way to unify. If wise, Obama will just come out and say it was a bad idea, drop it, and move on. While the "insurance" proposal may disappear, there is another proposal that shouldn't have disappeared... and that's "advance appropriation" for the VA budget.
While campaigning for the Presidency, Obama promised to support mandatory funding for VA healthcare. I even have a copy of the signed pledge. Then, he backed away from that and talked of full funding. Then, he said he supported the "advance appropriation" concept (where VA gets its budget a year in advance), and now he's backed away from that. This is an issue where we must hold Obama's feet to the fire. Stop waffling and fund the VA without any gimmicks or nonsense, Mr. President... please. You can find out more about
all of the above by using the VA Watchdog search engine... click here...
Below are articles relating to this story...
Excerpt:
--------------- The American Legion's press
release about the "insurance" proposal is here... Excerpt:
--------------- IAVA press release here... Excerpt:
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