posted 11-11-2003 04:49 PM            

President Bush often emphasizes his commitment to veterans, saying in 2001, "My administration understands America's obligations not only go to those who wear the uniform today, but to those who wore the uniform in the past: to our veterans."1

But the 200,000 veterans waiting six months or more for their first appointment at a VA facility would be denied access to VA health care under Bush's plan. Others would be charged $250 annual enrollment fees, doubled prescription costs and increased co-payments.2

The same day the President met with wounded soldiers and said that America "should and must provide the best care for anybody who is willing to put their life in harm's way,"3 the Veterans' Administration explained that it could solve the backlog problem by limiting enrollment. "VA would avoid very significant additional medical benefits costs and begin to bring demand in line with capacity, which will reduce the number of veterans on wait lists."4

The administration would also reduce costs by denying access to "better-off"5 veterans - those who do not have service-related disabilities and with incomes as low as $21,050.6

Estimates suggest this would likely more than triple the number of veterans denied health care by FY 2005 to more than half a million7, and the VA anticipates that 55%8 of veterans who already participate in the VA health care plan, numbering 1.25 million, may be unable to continue participation due to the enrollment fee.9

Congress has called for $1.8 billion beyond what the administration requested for FY 2004 funding beyond the White House request.10

posted 11-12-2003 12:23 AM            

I don't think this is the story with all troops.

Yes...according to what ive read Bush is cutting imminent danger pay to the troops.

Don't forget all the other things happening...EX: Soldiers having to pay for their meals...their own Flak jackets...and even their own HOSPITAL VISITS!

Sick.

posted 11-12-2003 01:18 PM            

An act of ‘betrayal’
In the midst of war, key family benefits face cuts

By Karen Jowers
Times staff writer

Commissaries and the Defense Department’s stateside schools are in the crosshairs of Pentagon budget cutters, and military advocates, families and even base commanders are up in arms.

Defense officials notified the services in mid-October that they intend to close 19 commissaries and may close 19 more, mostly in remote areas.

At the same time, the Pentagon is finishing a study to determine whether to close or transfer control of the 58 schools it operates on 14 military installations in the continental United States.

The two initiatives are the latest in a string of actions by the Bush administration to cut or hold down growth in pay and benefits, including basic pay, combat pay, health-care benefits and the death gratuity paid to survivors of troops who die on active duty.

The roots of all these efforts reach back to the highest levels of the Defense Department.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has made no secret of his desire to get the military out of support activities that are not central to its core war-fighting functions, said Joseph Tafoya, director of the Department of Defense Education Activity. As soon as he arrived at the Pentagon three years ago, Tafoya said, Rumsfeld began asking: “Why am I running stores? Why am I in education?”

On Oct. 16, at the headquarters of the Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools in Peachtree City, Ga., Tafoya hosted more than 70 senior officers, school administrators, teachers, military parents and students for a forum on the future of the U.S.-based schools.

“As Marines, we take the short end of the stick in many ways,” said Col. James Lowe, commander of Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. “But when it comes to our children, we’re very intolerant about them being shortchanged.”

And shortchanged is exactly how military families and family advocates are feeling, said Joyce Raezer, director of government relations for the National Military Family Association.

“How can leadership be talking about cutting back on quality-of-life benefits right now when the force and everyone supporting the force is at such a high stress level?” Raezer said.

The week the commissary cuts became known, 11 soldiers were killed in Iraq, and as many as 30 failed to show up on scedule for return flights to Baghdad at the end of their two-week R&R visits.

(continued)

http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2386496.php

posted 11-13-2003 03:45 PM            

The above article states: “About 6,000 soldiers have been sent home for recovery since Persian Gulf War II began, but of these, only 1,200 were wounded in combat. Many of the others are suffering illnesses that leave them so physically and emotionally disabled the military has no choice but to discharge them.”

Apparently some people are blaming the vaccinations the soldiers received for these illnesses, but the Pentagon, OF COURSE, is denying the claims saying: “In 200 years of vaccinations, no vaccine has ever been shown to cause pneumonia, and there are multiple reasons to believe that the vaccines have no role.”

OK then, if its not the vaccinations – do you think it might be the Depleted Uranium that’s all over the place??? Radiation particulates are known to destroy the lungs – so it is a possible culprit. Did anyone bother to look into that? Before the second Gulf War even started, the U.S. said that it was not necessary to clean up the left over debris from DU weapons because it DOES NOT HAVE ANY LONG-TERM EFFECTS! Ha! Tell that to the Gulf War I vets. Oops I forgot, you already did.