I can't imagine this will fare well...

[Lynnie]

Based on the Obamameter, he has fulfilled 18 promises, compromised on 6, broken 3, 3 are stalled, 42 are in the works, and 441 with no action. I would say he is doing fairly well on his promises. Here's the Obamameter...

PolitiFact | The Obameter: Tracking Barack Obama's Campaign Promises

That's cool - haven't looked at the link. But, does the Obameter guage on backfire?

 

[Mango]

I think it would be fair to wait and see what the Budget actually says. It's been rumored that it is proposed in the Budget, but according to my Congressman, that is not true. Matter of fact, his office says that Obama was not even the one who raised it. Obama has increased the VA's budget for 2010 by 11%. An unprecedented amount by any President. Also, the Budget calls for 1 billion more than the VA had asked, over the next 5 years. I heard that McCain even floated the idea of contract out medical vouchers-- a government credit card-- so that Vets could look for the best health care at the best price. My FIL, who served during WWII, gets his care from the VA and believe me, it's not always the best he could get.

It would be unconscionable to make veterans work any harder than necessary to obtain their physical or mental needs and I would be the first one standing there asking for my voter registration card back raising hairy hail, but right now this is all conjecture.

From his speech March 16th:
"I intend to start that work by making good on my pledge to transform the Department of Veterans Affairs for the 21st century. That's an effort that, under Secretary Shinseki's leadership, all of you have already begun -- conducting a thorough review of your operations all across this agency. And I intend to support this effort not just with words of encouragement, but with resources. That's why the budget I sent to Congress increases funding for this department by $25 billion over the next five years.

With this budget, we don't just fully fund our VA health care program -- we expand it to serve an additional 500,000 veterans by 2013; to provide better health care in more places; and to dramatically improve services related to mental health and injuries like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. We also invest in the technology to cut red tape and ease the transition from active duty. And we provide new help for homeless veterans, because those heroes have a home -- it's the country they served, the United States of America. And until we reach a day when not a single veteran sleeps on our nation's streets, our work remains unfinished."

 

[scooterbug44]

I don't understand - where's Andy A - if you are a veteran isn't a VA hospital/care part of your pension/benefits if you were honorably discharged?

Is there an article that explains this better - can't tell if the idea is just that those who are covered by private insurance use that insurance to pay for their care.

Since one of my hot button issues is how poorly we treat our veterans & service members I want more info!

 

[TooFarTampa]

I don't understand - where's Andy A - if you are a veteran isn't a VA hospital/care part of your pension/benefits if you were honorably discharged?

Is there an article that explains this better - can't tell if the idea is just that those who are covered by private insurance use that insurance to pay for their care.

Since one of my hot button issues is how poorly we treat our veterans & service members I want more info!

Veterans groups irate at Obama's private insurance proposal - CNN.com

Here's an article from CNN that I found illuminating, though who knows if it tells the whole story. I think this is a bad, bad idea, in large part because of this argument:

The groups also say that the cost of treating service-connected injuries could lead to veterans quickly maxing out their benefits in third-party insurance, risking coverage for not just them but their families, who are also covered under the plans. In addition, they foresee premiums rising to cover the cost of treating the service-connected injuries.

Yeah, with a serious injury or illness it can be surprisingly easy to max out your lifetime coverage.

 

[Mango]

Right TFT, not only maxing out benefits, but also making it harder for working vets to find jobs, especially with smaller employers. That's why the idea is ludicrous.
Scooter, my understanding is non service related injuries are paid through insurance unless the veteran is 100% disabled and therefore unemployed, then the VA picks up everything including unrelated medical needs.

 

[scooterbug44]

IMO anyone honorably discharged from the military should get full medical coverage (including psych care as that's a HUGE issue) - regardless of disability level.

Papa Scooterbug was telling me how his health insurance costs will go down when he hits 65 because the government will start covering part of the costs.

Not because he doesn't have private health insurance or can't afford it, or because he meets certain criteria, or because his employment situation will have changed - just because of how old he is.

 

[traderx]

I think it would be fair to wait and see what the Budget actually says. It's been rumored that it is proposed in the Budget, but according to my Congressman, that is not true. Matter of fact, his office says that Obama was not even the one who raised it. Obama has increased the VA's budget for 2010 by 11%. An unprecedented amount by any President. Also, the Budget calls for 1 billion more than the VA had asked, over the next 5 years. I heard that McCain even floated the idea of contract out medical vouchers-- a government credit card-- so that Vets could look for the best health care at the best price. My FIL, who served during WWII, gets his care from the VA and believe me, it's not always the best he could get.

Veterans Get Nearly $81 Billion in Historic FY 07 Plan - Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

WASHINGTON ? Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson announced today that President Bush will seek a record $80.6 billion in the fiscal year 2007 budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), with the overwhelming majority of these resources targeted for health care and disability compensation. The FY '07 proposal represents an increase of $8.8 billion, or 12.2 percent, above the budget for 2006.

Obama has got to work hard to outspend Bush.

 

[Lynnie]

My Daddy was an Officer in WWII and Korea. If he were still alive and needing medical care, we would make certain his care be administered from the private sector and we are very fortunate to be able to do that.

This decision based upon the fact of how weak medical care is at VA hospitals. However, I believe improving the delivery of medical care for our veterans is a much more efficient use of $$ than trying to privatize (for vets) or nationalize healthcare in this country for everyone.

 

[scooterbug44]

Per the article TFT posted, the idea was because they felt it was unfair for service members to pay private insurance premiums, but then those companies not have to pay out for care - so this was a way to help the VA budget by making the companies collecting premiums pay for the medical care.

 

[Lynnie]

Well, we have the variables of the age of the veteran, mortality tables and how medical ins./care is designed, written and delivered in this country.

If Daddy were still alive, he'd be 92, which equates to being uninsurable for medical care by the private health insurance cos. He would qualify only for Medicare, a Medicare Supplement and his VA benefits.

We would pay for private care for him.

There are veterans younger than age 65, who through employment outside the military might have medical insurance in addition to VA benefits. There are dual coverage clauses in health insurance plans specifically outlining which plan will cover first, then second, etc.