Obscene or Just Insane?Veterans May Face Health Care Cuts in '08

[kpete]

Obscene or Just Insane?
Posted by jesselee
Tuesday, February 28, 2006 at 11:27 AM

Veterans May Face Health Care Cuts in 2008

At least tens of thousands of veterans with non-critical medical issues could suffer delayed or even denied care in coming years to enable President Bush to meet his promise of cutting the deficit in half _ if the White House is serious about its proposed budget.

After an increase for next year, the Bush budget would turn current trends on their head. Even though the cost of providing medical care to veterans has been growing by leaps and bounds, White House budget documents assume a cutback in 2008 and further cuts thereafter.

In fact, the proposed cuts are so draconian that it seems to some that the White House is simply making them up to make its long-term deficit figures look better. More realistic numbers, however, would raise doubts as to whether Bush can keep his promise to wrestle the deficit under control by the time he leaves office.

"Either the administration is proposing gutting VA health care over the next five years or it is not serious about its own budget," said Rep. Chet Edwards of Texas, top Democrat on the panel overseeing the VA's budget. "If the proposals aren't serious, then that would undermine the administration's argument that they intend to reduce the deficit in half over the next several years."

http://www.dccc.org/stakeholder/archives/004389.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/27/AR2006022700976.html

[babylonsister]

1. Obscene and insane. Once upon a time people joined the

military because of the good benefits; this sounds like they'd be cutting their own throats if they have any hope of future enlistments. Doesn't even take into account all the vets who have done their time and earned their bennies, and then consider all the soldiers in Iraq who will need the medical benefits.
Yep, obscene.

[murray hill farm]

2. How many obscene and insane actions does..

bush and his administration impliment before this country does something to stop him...every day he sells out our country in another way..soon, if not already, this country will be so destroyed, that it will be too late to get it back.

[AndyTiedye]

3. They Are Not Expecting Any Future (Voluntary) Enlistments

Once they have the DRAFT in place, watch them really slash benefits.

[MadMaddie]

4. Absolutely Criminal.....

[eppur_se_muova]

5. Does Chickenhawk ** get some psychotic pleasure from trashing vets?

He's done nothing but cut vet's benefits since he took office -- even right after visiting wounded soldiers in hospital. I think he really gets a thrill out of kicking people who are down, just to remind himself he has the power to do it.

Book plug: Be sure to read "Bush on the Couch" if you haven't already!

[SmokingJacket]

8. Maybe secret guilt about skipping out on his service?

Nah, he's constitutionally unable to feel guilt.

But something makes him hate vets -- maybe jealousy.

[eppur_se_muova]

9. Awareness and shame that he doesn't have their guts.

Yes, SJ, I think that fits the definition of jealousy.

[KamaAina]

6. Way to support the troops, dirtbags!

This is a Dem campaign commercial that practically films itself. Now the question is, who amng us will have the wherewithal to use it?

[babylonsister]

7. Great idea, KamaAina! Anyone? nt