Posted on 11/07/2009 1:38:00 PM PST by Former Military Chick
Bill Would Restrict Veterans’ Health Care Options
Buyer and McKeon Offer Amendments to Protect Veterans and TRICARE Beneficiaries
Washington, D.C. — Today, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Steve Buyer and House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Howard P. “Buck” McKeon offered three amendments to the Pelosi healthcare bill that would protect America’s Veterans and military TRICARE beneficiaries. The healthcare legislation, which is expected to be voted on in the full House in the coming days limits veteran’s and service member’s health care choices and places veterans and military health care unnecessarily at risk by not clearly excluding military and veterans health care from the requirements of the bill.
“In addition to being fundamentally opposed to a sweeping government takeover of health care, I also strongly object to the bill that was unveiled today because it would limit veterans’ ability to choose a health care provider,” said Rep. Buyer. “The liberty and freedom upon which our nation is founded was paid for through the sacrifices of veterans, and I find it outrageous that the government veterans defended would presume to dictate where and how they obtain health care. This is not the type of government veterans have fought and died for.”
“America must remain vigilant in our efforts to provide the necessary support to our Veterans, military retirees, and current military personnel,” said Rep. McKeon. “The Democrat healthcare bill that will be voted on in the coming days creates unnecessary uncertainty for our Veterans and military families that their healthcare options will be unfairly limited. Our amendments make certain—in the strongest terms possible—that our nation’s heroes will continue to have options, while protecting their rights to maintain their current high-quality options if they so choose.”
Reps. Buyer and McKeon offered the following three amendments to ensure that our veterans, servicemembers, and their families are not hurt by the bill:
· Buyer/McKeon Amendment #001: Would add a new subsection to provide explicitly that veterans enrolled in the VA health care and TRICARE beneficiaries may choose additional health insurance through the “Health Insurance Exchange”, along with care provided by VA or DOD.
The bill reads: “(a) ACCESS TO COVERAGE. – In accordance with this section, all individuals are eligible to obtain coverage through enrollment in an Exchange-participating health benefits plan offered through the Health Insurance Exchange unless such individuals are enrolled in another qualified health benefits plan or certain other acceptable coverage.” [page 156, line 11-16].
Under H.R. 3962, VA health care and TRICARE would be deemed "qualified" coverage. The problem with the language is that it is ambiguous and can be interpreted to disqualify individuals enrolled in VA health care or TRICARE from participating in the exchange.
This amendment was accepted at the Energy and Commerce Committee markup, but the Democratic Leadership failed to include it in H.R. 3962.
· Buyer/McKeon Amendment #002: Would ensure that the authority of the Secretary of VA and Secretary of DOD could never be challenged or obstructed by any provision in the bill or by a secretary or commissioner from another part of government.
As currently written, H.R. 3962 would provide that the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of VA retain sole authority over their respective health care systems only with respect to Subtitle A, the Health Insurance Exchange. This was the original Buyer Amendment adopted in Energy and Commerce Committee. However, it was limited to “Subtitle A” because of germaneness requirements. The intent was that as the Committee bills were merged, the language would be revised to encompass the entire bill.
The section-by-section analysis on the Energy and Commerce Committee Website states that Section 311 “makes clear that nothing in this act interferes with the Department of Veterans Affairs or Department of Defense’s existing authorities.”
In fact, this description is incorrect and our amendment would provide that the bill conform to the website’s assertion.
· Buyer/McKeon Amendment #003: Would amend section 342 of the bill to allow individuals enrolled in VA health care and TRICARE to be eligible for affordable tax credits.
Currently, H.R. 3962 defines an “affordable credit eligible individual” as one who is not enrolled in acceptable coverage – which would exclude individuals enrolled in VA health care or TRICARE.
Yes, I am beyond angry. I watched CSPAN as much today as I could take. After this week, I just damn them all. Every last stinking one of them, and I just can’t look at them anymore right now.
To top it off, my congressman is john murtha. It doesn’t get much worse than that.
If your in the military or retired, you are a prime target to get the purple shaft.
BTW, your tagline. Prayers for your beloved. Count on it.
I’ve been watching most of the House discussion and am amazed. People should be watching . . . there are some VERY OLD LOOKING Congresspeople who can barely speak and who need to be replaced . . . preferably by young Conservatives.
So many lies coming from the Democrats that it’s amazing they aren’t struck dead by lightening.
I'm afraid it does. MY Congressman told the folks from our district who met with him on Thursday that he wants the US system of health care to be more like CUBA'S! He's a big pro-abortion, pro-union guy.
Alternate explanation: there are powerful interests (SEIU, Soros, whoever) who want the bill done a certain way, and they hold her future in her hands.
She has no interest in what the American People want. She is the property of the people who own her future.
The Blue Dogs might think they have 'cover' if the Stupak amendment passes, but Bela Pelosi, et al, will make SURE that funding for abortion is in the final bill. That's why I'm hoping the Blue Dogs won't fall for the tricks, and will vote against the whole thing!
She is a rich bitch who doesn’t need a future. This is for power and power ONLY. She has got to be one of the most evil women on the planet, and that is as much of an understatement as I can manage right now.
You’re right. I guess it’s a coin toss without enough coins. They are ALL bad.
Pelosi is a crazy idiot!
“If there is a word beyond hate then that it what I feel towards that bitch pelosi.”
Good for you. It’s always good to call a spade a spade. They are what they are.
This from a google search: http://economicspolitics.blogspot.com/2009/05/tricare-for-life-is-obama-trying-to.html
This option would help reduce the costs of TFL, as well as costs for Medicare, by introducing minimum out-of pocket requirements for beneficiaries. Under this option, TFL would not cover any of the first $525 of an enrollee’s cost-sharing liabilities for calendar year 2011 and would limit coverage to 50 percent of the next $4,725 in Medicare cost sharing that the beneficiary incurred. (Because all further cost sharing would be covered by TFL, enrollees could not pay more than $2,888 in cost sharing in that year.)
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/99xx/doc9925/12-18-HealthOptions.pdf
We are on both Medicare and TFL (hubby did his 20 in the Navy) this will halve our monthly income plus leave us with higher medical cost! We both have minor health problems that require our going to the doctor at least twice a year, just to get our RX's renewed. And it's a good year when we only have the two visits.
I wear a partial plate and can't afford mouth ulcers, much less want my hair to fall out. Took only 3 days for the mouth ulcers to start forming on the generic.
I’m not military myself, but was married to a Navy man (retired after 20) and am now a widow and this affects me too!
This makes me sick, the way these vipers are twisting writhing like snakes and taking advantage of America and Americans.
Thank you my beloved appreciates the prayer’s of his fellow American’s as do I, I come from a patriotic family, my father a West Point grad died in service to our amazing country, I have served in the United States Air Force, a very proud moment when my father swore me in, I am now the proud wife of one of our finest and I hope all his efforts are not discounted as this Prez makes future decisions when it comes to our proud MILITARY!!!!
SuziQ, LTNS and I am so sorry for your elected official who seems to be very unAmerican. I hope there is a way for next years election to remove him from office. Best of luck! -Chele
Shimmer1, please take my words from the bottom of my heart, I thank your beloved for his service to this amazing country. I very much understand your frustration, my heart is touched by those who have served, those who’s spouses have passes away, the action’s of the few affect the many, military vet’s, active duty military have a voice and we MUST convey it, for the future of those who raise their hand and give the oath to this, the most amazing country in the world.
Again, I appreciate the service of your beloved and the courage of sharing your thoughts. My prayers go out to you and yours! - Chele
The Stupak bill passes AMEN for those dem’s who decided to cross the lines. Life trumps and I hope it does in the future.
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