Since 01-29-06
Democratic Leaders Urge President Bush to Rethink Increasing the Costs of Veterans' Health Care
Since 01-29-06
From:
Waspscpo@aol.com [mailto:Waspscpo@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 2:16 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Democratic Leaders Urge President Bush to Rethink Increasing.......
Maybe we are beginning to get through to them.
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=59811
Democratic Leaders Urge President Bush to Rethink Increasing the Costs of
Veterans' Health Care
January 26, 2006
10:19:00 AM
To: National Desk Contact:
Brendan Daly or Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616, both of the Office of House
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi,
Web:
http://democraticleader.house.gov
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 /U.S. Newswire/ -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and
other Democratic leaders sent the following letter to President Bush yesterday
evening regarding reports that the Administration is planning to increase health
care premiums for veterans, which would force 600,000 veterans out of TRICARE,
the veterans' health care system.
Below is the text of the letter:
January 25, 2006
The Honorable George W. Bush President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,
NW Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
We are greatly concerned about recent reports that you are planning to reduce
defense spending for our nation's military retirees by increasing their TRICARE
health care premiums.
Reports from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (VFW) and others suggest
that premiums will double for enlisted retirees and triple for officer retirees
by 2009, and these increases will start October 1, 2006. Some in your own
administration even report that this proposed fee increase of $1,200 will force
600,000 veterans out of the TRICARE system, leaving them without the health care
they have earned through their many years of service to our country.
It is unconscionable that you would even consider a fee increase on the men and
women in uniform who bravely sacrificed for our country, especially during a
time of war. We must demonstrate our commitment to our troops and future
veterans by assuring them that just as they protected us, we will take care of
them when their service ends. Not only is this premium increase unfair to the
military retirees who have given 20-30 years of service and sacrifice, it will
not help maintain our military strength.
A report released today by the National Security Advisory Group identified
serious problems in military recruiting and retention. (Copy enclosed) Cutting
health care benefits for our nation's veterans will only exacerbate this current
problem. We urge that, in your State of the Union Address, you disavow these
reports and state forthrightly that in the budget you submit to Congress next
month, adequate resources will be allocated for health care for both veterans
and military retirees.
That is necessary to clearly and unambiguously set forth a national policy of
respecting and preserving all health care benefits earned by those who have
served. Your Administration must not shift additional costs upon veterans or
military retirees. Anything less is would be a national disgrace and constitute
a pointed rebuke to those who served and have earned those benefits.
Just as our men and women in uniform vow to never leave a soldier behind in
battle, so must we commit to never leaving a veteran behind when they need
health care. We look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer, House Democratic Whip James
Clyburn, Democratic Caucus Chairman Lane Evans, Veterans Affairs Committee,
ranking memberIke Skelton, Armed Services Committee, ranking member John Spratt,
Budget Committee, ranking member Chet Edwards, Veterans Affairs Appropriations,
subcommittee ranking member.
http://www.usnewswire.com/-0-/© 2006 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
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Contributed,
YNCS Don Harribine, USN(ret)