Panetta to recommend military pay cut

[Connery]

I think they make some valid points. A reduction in the various benefits offered for veterans after retirement is a smart move.

The Tricare policy should be changed. "TRICARE is the name of the military's healthcare program, and even former servicemembers who've been out of the military for years and have jobs in the private sector can keep their family covered under the program for life." Service connected injuries or medical conditions should be covered, but, not family medical unless the ex-service member is totally and permanently disabled as a result of the service connected injury or medical condition. This may be covered through VA.

Or they could just up the TRICARE premiums for retirees.

They could, however, that would require more personnel, policy development, underwriters, claims personnel etc.... Getting in the insurance business is a very difficult and costly endeavor for all concerned.

 

[Seawytch]

I think they make some valid points. A reduction in the various benefits offered for veterans after retirement is a smart move.

The Tricare policy should be changed. "TRICARE is the name of the military's healthcare program, and even former servicemembers who've been out of the military for years and have jobs in the private sector can keep their family covered under the program for life." Service connected injuries or medical conditions should be covered, but, not family medical unless the ex-service member is totally and permanently disabled as a result of the service connected injury or medical condition. This may be covered through VA.

Or they could just up the TRICARE premiums for retirees.

That. I have a plan through my employer and choose to pay for Tricare as a supplement.

 

[ArmyCowboy]

The Tricare policy should be changed. "TRICARE is the name of the military's healthcare program, and even former servicemembers who've been out of the military for years and have jobs in the private sector can keep their family covered under the program for life." Service connected injuries or medical conditions should be covered, but, not family medical unless the ex-service member is totally and permanently disabled as a result of the service connected injury or medical condition. This may be covered through VA.

Or they could just up the TRICARE premiums for retirees.

They could, however, that would require more personnel, policy development, underwriters, claims personnel etc.... Getting in the insurance business is a very difficult and costly endeavor for all concerned.

They're already in the insurance business. Raising rates from the current figure of $460 a year wouldn't cost the government anymore.

 

[Seawytch]

The Dear Leader raises Joe Biden's salary and cuts the military ....


Lord .... my contempt for Obama knows no bound, I hate him and all his croonies, more and more each day!

I don't like Obama's policies and I don't like the idea that the military doesn't need a raise. HOWEVER you can compare that with a request by Obama foir pay raises of Congress or the Executive, YOU see a crafty congress in the past passed a law that REQUIRES the President, each year, to recommend pay raises based on the prevailing wages.

He literally had no choice.

The Federal Employees had been under a two year pay freeze. I agree that Congress should have (and did) maintain their freeze.

 

[OriginalShroom]

I think they make some valid points. A reduction in the various benefits offered for veterans after retirement is a smart move.

The Tricare policy should be changed. "TRICARE is the name of the military's healthcare program, and even former servicemembers who've been out of the military for years and have jobs in the private sector can keep their family covered under the program for life." Service connected injuries or medical conditions should be covered, but, not family medical unless the ex-service member is totally and permanently disabled as a result of the service connected injury or medical condition. This may be covered through VA.

Or they could just up the TRICARE premiums for retirees.

Now I have a serious dog in this hunt.

I pay over half of my retirement pay each month toward Tri-care, Delta Dental, and SBC. I lose half of my retirement to the VA for my disability due to service connected injuries.

 

[sfcalifornia]

Study Warns Cost of U.S. Troops 'Is Unsustainable' - DOTMIL (usnews.com)

We gotta start doing something..

I think they make some valid points. A reduction in the various benefits offered for veterans after retirement is a smart move.

We could certainly pay more for our health insurance. I pay about $500 a year for me and the kids.

LOL

My monthly premium is a little higher than that and I'm single/no kids.

 

[RetiredGySgt]

The Tricare policy should be changed. "TRICARE is the name of the military's healthcare program, and even former servicemembers who've been out of the military for years and have jobs in the private sector can keep their family covered under the program for life." Service connected injuries or medical conditions should be covered, but, not family medical unless the ex-service member is totally and permanently disabled as a result of the service connected injury or medical condition. This may be covered through VA.

Or they could just up the TRICARE premiums for retirees.

Now I have a serious dog in this hunt.

I pay over half of my retirement pay each month toward Tri-care, Delta Dental, and SBC. I lose half of my retirement to the VA for my disability due to service connected injuries.

Liberals do NOT CARE about contractual agreements between the Government and its MILITARY. Military retirees according to a host of this boards liberals are welfare recipients and somehow did not earn their retirements.

 

[ArmyCowboy]

The Tricare policy should be changed. "TRICARE is the name of the military's healthcare program, and even former servicemembers who've been out of the military for years and have jobs in the private sector can keep their family covered under the program for life." Service connected injuries or medical conditions should be covered, but, not family medical unless the ex-service member is totally and permanently disabled as a result of the service connected injury or medical condition. This may be covered through VA.

Or they could just up the TRICARE premiums for retirees.

Now I have a serious dog in this hunt.

I pay over half of my retirement pay each month toward Tri-care, Delta Dental, and SBC. I lose half of my retirement to the VA for my disability due to service connected injuries.

There are better civilian plans than Delta Dental and SBC is a cosmic rip off.

 

[OriginalShroom]

One thing people need to remember.

The Military are the only Federal Employees to pay their own disability.

For every dollar in disability we get, we lose a dollar out of our retirement. No other Federal Employee is forced to fund their own month disability.

 

[RetiredGySgt]

One thing people need to remember.

The Military are the only Federal Employees to pay their own disability.

For every dollar in disability we get, we lose a dollar out of our retirement. No other Federal Employee is forced to fund their own month disability.

The reason Military retirees can not draw 2 Government retired checks or have to pay for their own disability is because of General Sherman of Civil War Fame. You see in the 1880's and early 90's the Southern Democrats had enough clout in Congress to pass those laws in a direct effort to deny Sherman a Military and Federal Government retiree check. As revenge for the march through Georgia.

 

[bodecea]

Study Warns Cost of U.S. Troops 'Is Unsustainable' - DOTMIL (usnews.com)

We gotta start doing something..

I think they make some valid points. A reduction in the various benefits offered for veterans after retirement is a smart move.

No.

 

[ArmyCowboy]

One thing people need to remember.

The Military are the only Federal Employees to pay their own disability.

For every dollar in disability we get, we lose a dollar out of our retirement. No other Federal Employee is forced to fund their own month disability.

As long as you have 50% or more disability, you can receive concurrent receipt now (ie two checks.)

 

[Connery]

Or they could just up the TRICARE premiums for retirees.

They could, however, that would require more personnel, policy development, underwriters, claims personnel etc.... Getting in the insurance business is a very difficult and costly endeavor for all concerned.

They're already in the insurance business. Raising rates from the current figure of $460 a year wouldn't cost the government anymore.

That only addresses the government, I included all parties. It would cost the policyholder more . To make this effective there may have to be policy changes and more of a managed healthcare system in place.

 

[bucs90]

EVERYONE is struggling, most people aren;t getting pay raises. If the private sector isn't getting raises, neither should ANY government employees. After all THEY LIVE ON MY TAX DOLLARS!!!

Or at least thats what I've heard a lot.

 

[AmyNation]

Study Warns Cost of U.S. Troops 'Is Unsustainable' - DOTMIL (usnews.com)

We gotta start doing something..

I think they make some valid points. A reduction in the various benefits offered for veterans after retirement is a smart move.

No.

I'm not suggesting that for the vets we already have. I think for those who have already served, and are serving, they already have a contract with the government and we owe them what was promised. However we should revamp our retirement packages for future vets.

 

[OriginalShroom]

Soon To Be Gone
by Capt. Steven Ellison, MD
A Military Doctor

This should be required reading in every school and college in our country. This Captain, an Army doctor, deserves a medal himself for putting this together. If you choose not to pass it on, fine, but I think you will want to, after you read it.

I am a doctor specializing in the Emergency Departments of the only two military LevelOne-Trauma Centers, both inSan Antonio , TX and they care for civilian Emergencies as well as military personnel. San Antonio has the largest military retiree population in the world living here. As a military doctor, I work long hours and the pay is less than glamorous. One tends to become jaded by the long hours, lack of sleep, food, family contact and the endless parade of human suffering passing before you. The arrival of another ambulance does not mean more pay, only more work. Most often, it is a victim from a motor vehicle crash.

Often it is a person of dubious character who has been shot or stabbed. With our large military retiree population, it is often a nursing home patient. Even with my enlisted service and minimal combat experience in Panama , I have caught myself groaning when the ambulance brought in yet another sick, elderly person from one of the local retirement centers that cater to military retirees. I had not stopped to think of what citizens of this age group represented.

I saw 'Saving Private Ryan.' I was touched deeply. Not so much by the carnage, but by the sacrifices of so many. I was touched most by the scene of the elderly survivor at the graveside, asking his wife if he'd been a good man. I realized that I had seen these same men and women coming through my Emergency Dept.. and had not realized what magnificent sacrifices they had made. The things they did for me and everyone else that has lived on this planet since the end of that conflict are priceless.

Situation permitting, I now try to ask my patients about their experiences. They would never bring up the subject without the inquiry I have been privileged to an amazing array of experiences, recounted in the brief minutes allowed in an Emergency Dept. encounter. These experiences have revealed the incredible individuals I have had the honor of serving in a medical capacity, many on their last admission to the hospital.

There was a frail, elderly woman who reassured my young enlisted medic, trying to start an IV line in her arm. She remained calm and poised, despite her illness and the multiple needle-sticks into her fragile veins. She was what we call a 'hard stick.' As the medic made another attempt, I noticed a number tattooed across her forearm. I touched it with one finger and looked into her eyes. She simply said, ' Auschwitz ..' Many of later generations would have loudly and openly berated the young medic in his many attempts. How different was the response from this person who'd seen unspeakable suffering.

Also, there was this long retired Colonel, who as a young officer had parachuted from his burning plane over aPacific Island held by the Japanese. Now an octogenarian, he had a minor cut on his head from a fall at his home where he lived alone. His CT scan and suturing had been delayed until after midnight by the usual parade of high priority ambulance patients.. Still spry for his age, he asked to use the phone to call a taxi, to take him home, then he realized his ambulance had brought him without his wallet. He asked if he could use the phone to make a long distance call to his daughter who lived 7 miles away. With great pride we told him that he could not, as he'd done enough for his country and the least we could do was get him a taxi home, even if we had to pay for it ourselves. My only regret was that my shift wouldn't end for several hours, and I couldn't drive him myself.

I was there the night M/Sgt Roy Benavidez came through the Emergency Dept. for the last time. He was very sick. I was not the doctor taking care of him, but I walked to his bedside and took his hand. I said nothing. He was so sick, he didn't know I was there. I'd read his Congressional Medal of Honor citation and wanted to shake his hand. He died a few days later.

I may still groan when yet another ambulance comes in, but now I am much more aware of what an honor it is to serve these particular men and women.


I have seen a Congress who would turn their back on these individuals who've sacrificed so much to protect our liberty. I see later generations that seem to be totally engrossed in abusing these same liberties, won with such sacrifice.

It has become my personal endeavor to make the nurses and young enlisted medics aware of these amazing individuals when I encounter them in our Emergency Dept. Their response to these particular citizens has made me think that perhaps all is not lost in the next generation.

My experiences have solidified my belief that we are losing an incredible generation, and this nation knows not what it is losing. Our uncaring government and ungrateful civilian populace should all take note. We should all remember that we must 'Earn this.'



Written By CAPT. Steven R. Ellison, M.D. US Army

If it weren't for the United States Military,
there'd be 'NO' United States of America !

Steven Ellison, MD
A MILITARY DOCTOR

And now as you have finished reading this, our Congress that enjoys their free medical care are in the process of charging these people for their medical care and at the same time possibly reducing their retirement pay. A typical political "Thank you."


This should be required reading in every school and college in our country. This Captain, an Army doctor, deserves a medal himself for putting this together. If you choose not to pass it on, fine, but I think you will want to, after you read it.

http://stardustradio.info/b2evolution/blog1.php/2012/12/11/a-letter-that-needs-to-be-shared-over-an

 

[Lovebears65]

Obama keeps messing with the military some day they might just turn on him.. Just saying

 

[Seawytch]

Or they could just up the TRICARE premiums for retirees.

Now I have a serious dog in this hunt.

I pay over half of my retirement pay each month toward Tri-care, Delta Dental, and SBC. I lose half of my retirement to the VA for my disability due to service connected injuries.

Liberals do NOT CARE about contractual agreements between the Government and its MILITARY. Military retirees according to a host of this boards liberals are welfare recipients and somehow did not earn their retirements.

Yes, liberals do care. We care about the contractual agreements with our military AND our unions. Contracts are renegotiated all the time.