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I guess I'm still missing the main gripe. If the retired military is receiving medical care paid for by either TriCare, Medicare or by using military hospitals, how does that break the promise of free health care for life.

Second, at the time the promise was made, no one but no one considered that any insurance plan would cover anything but major medical. Were the vets at the time under the impression that they would never have to spend a dime on any health care costs ? Not even aspirin ? I'm finding that a bit hard to swallow.

From what I have gotten from thsi discussion is that the Gov't had provided health care as promised. Its just not as good as what current vets want. It might be the best plan in the world but yet its not good enough, is that about it ?

The Retired Military were promised health care. They kept their part of the bargain, they earned it.

It boils down to if you can't find a doctor who will see you under TRICARE then you have no healthcare. If you can't use an Military Treatment Facility because there is no space available, you have no healthcare. Also while they were on active duty their pay was low, it was always cited to them that the benefits of healthcare after retirement was part of the reason. It was called "Deferred Compensation". Well they got low pay, now they are having a hard time getting healthcare they earned. One thing must be pointed out it was under Clinton that Tricare came into being. Prior to Clinton there was a very good healthcare plan called CHAMPUS. They keep saying that TRICARE is like CHAMPUS, it is not. CHAMPUS worked, it was also cheaper to run, TRICARE is a for profit driven program run by contractors. There is money to be made in Military Healthcare, problem is it doesn't get used on the patients.

President Bush campaigned on "A promise made is a promise kept" he sought out the Retired Military and solicited their support with saying he understood their plight and would help. So far he hasn't kept his part of the bargain. That's why so many are upset.