It's amazing how many people will take freebies they don't deserve and/or don't need. Sickening. But what's worse is the idiots in Congress that are willing to pass such laws in exchange for votes. Better not PO the AARP eh? Screw the AARP!
___________________________________________________________________________________ From:
http://www.hep-c-alert.org/vetalert/vetva.html
"...to qualify for free care based on income alone, veterans must have an annual income of $22,064 or less and annual income plus net worth of less than $50,000, if they do not have family members depending on them.
For veterans who are married, or are single with a dependant family member, the maximum annual income to qualify for free care is $26,480; their annual income plus net worth also must be less than $50,000..."
____________________________________________________________________________________ Now that same person who retires and goes on Social Security but meets the above requirement , they can now opt out of Medicare part B. (and save the monthly premium of $58.70 for part B, as in 2003)
Said persons can now go straight to the nearest VA hospital, sign up for and receive for life, free medical care as to, doctors, hospitalization, and prescription drugs. Now I personally know of people who brag about hiding assets so as to qualify for this free care. They do not give a tinkers damn about cheating, overloading the VA hospital system and in doing so deprive those who truly earned and deserve only the best of care for their sacrifices made and injuries suffered while serving in the military.
With the liberal income allowance and a little finagling of net worth, it is no problem for thousands upon thousands to cheat the system. I would bet this aspect of the VA system is seldom if ever given close scrutiny.