Bush Tries To Keep Half Million Vets In The Dark

[G_j]

THE DAILY MIS-LEAD
< http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1333383&l=44008 >
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BUSH TRIES TO KEEP HALF MILLION VETS IN THE DARK

President Bush celebrated the July 4th holiday by praising veterans, saying
"we're proud of your service, we're grateful for the example you have set
for America."<1> But a new report shows that more than half a million
veterans are going without health care benefits owed to them - and the Bush
administration has tried to keep those veterans in the dark.

According to Knight-Ridder newspapers, 572,000 veterans nationwide "are
missing out on disability payments from the Veterans Administration"<2> even
though they are owed those payments from their service. A large portion of
these veterans are not receiving their payments because they do not know
about them - a situation the White House has tried to perpetuate. In 2002,
VA officials were ordered by the Bush administration "to cease efforts to
enroll new patients into its health care system." The directive said it was
"inappropriate" for local VA workers to attend health fairs, open houses and
community meetings to educate veterans about what their eligibility and to
enroll them in health care programs.<3>

The President's efforts to prevent veterans from getting the benefits they
are owed came at the same time the White House was squeezing veterans
programs overall. Specifically, the President has drastically underfunded
veterans health care programs, leading to major veterans groups calling his
policies a "disgrace" and noting his most recent budget falls $2.6 billion
short of what is needed this year alone.<4> The President also raised
premiums that veterans pay for their prescription drugs.<5>

Sources:

1. Presidential Remarks, WhiteHouse.gov, 7/04/04,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1333383&l=44009.
2. "Thousands of disabled vets lack disability payments due to poor agency
outreach, stigma," Knight-Ridder, 7/01/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1333383&l=44010.
3. "VA says `no' to new patients - Service," VFW Magazine, 9/02,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1333383&l=44011.
4. "VFW Terms President's VA Budget Proposal Harmful to Veterans VFW Appeals
to Congress for Relief," VFW.org, 2/02/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1333383&l=44012.
5. "Bush calls for electronic medical records," CNN.com, 4/28/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1333383&l=44013.


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[G_j]

1. pitiful

.."efforts to prevent veterans from getting the benefits they
are owed. (typical)

..most recent budget falls $2.6 billion
short of what is needed this year alone,

..raised premiums that veterans pay for their prescription drugs"

Bush is the single person who has most betrayed and screwed the troops as C & C. Is there nothing to the conscience of this man?

How can one continually lie to those who would and do die at his command without touching some place of shame within?
This is not about Bush's 'conservative' ideology but simple 'ol two faced, lying deceit, over and over again.

[wicket]

2. Disgusting

Simply and absolutely disgusting. And in-fucking-excusable.