[Fatigued Mother]

I received this in an email from a veteran friend who is a member of the VFW and the DAV. Does anyone know anything about this?? I'm new to this site. I'm simply looking for answers and thought the Freepers could help me! = ) If this information is filled with bias or is incorrect in any way, I would appreciate a lead in the right direction. I have heard that the Freepers are good at pointing the way. What say ye??

[TwilightDog]

Congrats, Shari.

[NEBUCHADNEZZAR1961]

I say cut the foreign aid budget and give it to the vets. Its the only way to be sure.

[MJY1288]

Did this email come from MoveOn.Org? and did you sign up today just so you could post this unattributed email?

Begone Troll

[Smartaleck]

My guess there's probably more to it.

"really only about $100 million" they say.
$100 mil here, $100 mil there....pretty soon it adds up.

If you look at the website you'll also notice it doesn't say anything about the Pres proposal to increase the death benefits from $25,000 to $250,000.

[endthematrix]

The President submits a budget. Congress gives more dollars to many of the programs and trims off some to others. The VFW has to lobby just as any other group requesting funding. Also critics of the Bush administration are quick to exploit any dissension within patriotic groups.

[endthematrix]

Highlights of President's FY '06 Budget Proposal

"With this budget, the department will be able to care for a record number of our high-priority patients, those veterans counting on us the most, including veterans of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom."

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Press Release

[Dolphy]

Check out post 15 above. From that site:

The Veterans Health Administration has received record budget increases over the last four years. With this budget proposal, the President, working in partnership with Congress, will have increased health care funding for veterans by more than 47 percent since FY ’01. The President’s FY ’06 budget proposal requests $30.7 billion for VA’s health care program.

As has been said, this is just a budget proposal. I suspect that there may be some unintended consequences of proposals and restructuring that will get hammered out in Congress. But in no way can they characterize Bush as turning his back on veterans. Kerry tried the same thing in his campaign...I don't think he got much traction there either.

[PolishProud]

I believe there are two levels of payment, one for combat veterans and one for non combat veterans. Combat veterans don't pay co payments or the $250 fee. I'm a non combat veteran and I don't believe I should be treated the same as those guys that have put their lives on the line. Why should I be given free health care for spending two years in the officers'club at Fort Knox.

[PolishProud]

I believe there are two levels of payment, one for combat veterans and one for non combat veterans. Combat veterans don't pay co payments or the $250 fee. I'm a non combat veteran and I don't believe I should be treated the same as those guys that have put their lives on the line. Why should I be given free health care for spending two years in the officers'club at Fort Knox.