They’re still coming for your benefits
The other day I wrote about the Defense Business Board which recommended slashing military retiree benefits. Ranger Off-Spring (ROS) sent us a link on Military (dot) Com about yet another DoD panel coming for our benefits;
“Unless retirees contribute more for their TRICARE insurance, medical costs will not be brought under control and the national defense they served, and for which they fought and sacrificed, will be harmed,” says the final report of the Quadrennial Defense Review Independent Panel.
The panel is co-chaired by former Defense Secretary William J. Perry from the Clinton administration and Stephen J. Hadley who was national security advisor through President George W. Bush’s second term.
“I’ve heard a four-star military leader comment that DoD is turning into a benefits company that will occasionally kill a terrorist,” [Arnold Punaro, a defense industry executive and retired Marine Corps Reserve major general] said in a phone interview Tuesday.
Anyone else sense a real screwing coming on? It’s not like it hasn’t happened before…until the late 80s, retirees had dental benefits and co pays for CHAMPUS were a lot lower. In the 90s, Clinton put military retirees on Medicare at 65 and took them off of the military system and he started TRICARE which requires a premium for our “free healthcare”.
I don’t hear anyone in the Health and Human Services Department calling for more Medicaid user participation in paying for their health care…or talks of slashing other SSI benefits.
Category: Liberals suck
Well that sucks. As a retiree, I do not purchase the heavily subsidized healthcare plans from my employer. Thanks to the government, they cannot offer me a subsidized Tri(not to)care supplement policy to buy with my pre-tax dollars. That’s because too many state and local governments were offering Tri(not to)care eligible employees money to leave the company plan and use Tri(not to)care.
So, I have to purchase my own supplement with post-tax dollars because the government won’t allow me to use my medical savings account to buy a supplement.
It appears the bottom line is that I will have to pay more for my “free” healthcare and use post tax dollars to boot…%$@$%#$%
The Nonle Order of the Blue Falcon’s membership just keeps growing.
Noble, even. 🙂
Someone should tell that “four-star military leader” to (respectfully) eat a fat bag of dicks. Way to fuck over your troops, “sir”.
Obama not only doesn’t have use foranything military; he also dislikes the american military. Many of the Generals etc. have crawled into Obamas a*s sof far, they can’t hear nything anymore.
Wait, I thought benefits like that were a socialist/communist/redistribute-the-wealth Obama plot like Social Security or Medicare……. Now I’m really confused.
Joe: There’s a difference between earning them and just receiving them, moron. That you haven’t bothered to see the distinction doesn’t surprise me.
“Now I’m really confused”
Nuthin’ new about that.
Military benefits better NEVER go the way of Social Security / Medicare, or those folks will have to pull night shifts at the local grocery to make ends meet.
Are we really crying about paying $38 a month for healthcare? What might they increase it to, $45? Oh no!
Gee I might have to pay $5 for my prescriptions rather than $3. But if I get them at an MTF they’ll still be free. Oh no, what to do??
Non-story!
#10 A.S.H.:
Several years ago, I worked for a private company that contracted with the federal government. We had a federal-style health care plan, provided by BCBS. It was fantastic; I never saw a bill. My part of the plan was about $115.00 a month.
When I left the company, I was given the option of continuing to carry my medical plan; however, I would have to pay for it myself.
Price tag?
$900.00 A MONTH.
You don’t get the kind of coverage soldiers need for $38 a month. It’s just that simple.
Pinto, I agree 100%….Government run Health Insurance Rules!!
“You don’t get the kind of coverage soldiers need for $38 a month. It’s just that simple”
Soldiers DON’T pay $38 a month, it’s free to active duty service members. Only retiree’s pay $38 a month.
Ash–couple that with the civilian dipshits who want to rip retirement away until age 57 (or older), and you don’t see a problem?
Oh, and maybe someone can answer this question for me–when someone is a military retiree and reaches 62 (or 65), do their SSI benefits get reduced by the amount of military retirement pay they are drawing, or do they still draw the full amounts of both? Honest question to which I really don’t know the answer, but would greatly like to know.
Spanky, I don’t see it being a problem because I can afford an increase of $2 or $3 dollars. If you need some extra cash, I’ll hook you up. Just ask.
Spanky, are you seriously having a problem paying the $38 a month for healthcare for you and your dependents? If it increased a couple dollars would that really kill you?
#12 NH:
Answer to your question is that you keep the same amount total; the difference is split between SSI and your military retirement, pretty much like a pension plan with a private company.
According to the website, SSI benefits should not be affected by military retirement. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10017.html
#14 A.S.H.
I think we have “a failure to communicate” going here.
The gripe — if I’m reading it correctly — is that the ACTIVE military would be called upon to pay into their insurance plan…the one that currently is free to them.
I understand that retirees have co-pays; they are covered by different plans with TRICARE or CHAMPUS, and depending on their status, their co-pay may be more or less; but currently, active military is covered 100%.
#16 fm:
I checked your website, and it is correct. What it says is that SSI benefits will not be reduced. That is correct. What it doesn’t say is that the military retirement WILL be reduced, by the amount that SSI covers.
(I have to add the caveat that my husband is MEDICALLY retired from the military. There may be a difference that I’m not aware of for those retired after full-term service.)
As one without principles, ash, I’d expect no less than for you to not understand the concept.
Ash–if it WERE only $2-3 dollars, no, I wouldn’t bitch. But considering I am not a retiree and am not as such eligible for TRICARE, it doesn’t bother me much either way.
What DOES bother me, however, is the fact I’ve already been told my medical premiums WILL be increasing by around 50 percent next year. Couple that with the elimination of a lot of things I could use my HCRA for that I won’t be able to next year, and the federal tax increases I’LL be paying to pay for someone else’s healthcare (oh, and at the rate we’re going, we’ve been told not to expect the company to fund our healthcare past about 2016 or so, and by then it’ll be taxed), and that “hopey-changey” shit is just that–SHIT.
Oh, and FWIW, my share of my health insurance (for just me) is $340 a month. Until next year. Then it’ll be over $500 a month. So much for my premiums going down 3000 percent, fuckstick.
Spanky, wrong topic. We’re talking about military retiree’s having their premiums possibly being increased. I don’t give a shit about your non-tricare health insurance. Move on Spanky.
ROS, principles? Do you even understand the cost of health insurance and running a business, which providing health insurance is? This is stupid argument. We’re talking about paying $40 for health insurance rather than $38. If this is enacted, send me your address, I’ll send you the $2 a month that it could possibly go up to. Anyway, it probably won’t go up, the Defense Department and every administrations make suggestions about cuts and they rarely ever happen. Jonn posts this stuff just to scare us. Good job Jonn.
Pinto, where are you coming up with this “gripe”? It hasn’t been suggested at all that active duty military pay for their healthcare. All that was “proposed” was that military retiree Tricare payments “could” be increased. This has nothing to do with active duty troops.
#21 ASH:
Very much my bad. That’s what I get for not reading carefully.
No, ash, I have no clue about the specifics regarding health care since I just have the 4 kids and liver failure. Not one iota.
ROS, sorry for the liver failure. But if you are a military retiree, then both your liver and your children have only cost you $38 a month. Right?
Small history lesson for the marxists posting here. My uncle was a WWII vet, retired in 63. Had the papers that said his health insurance was paid for for life. It stated so in the enlistment contract. When he needed a bypass at 77, the hospital sent him a bill, he sent it back, because the govt was to pay. The govt reneged. He was stuck with it. CHAMPUS used to be free, now tri-care has to be paid for. Its not going to just be health insurance, its going to be retired pay ect. Don’t see any of the brass giving up their bennies, ex sec-def and multi star dipshits.
Nice story hoosier…I’d love to see some proof that he was stuck with the bill. Come on dude!
Since I’m not a retiree, you would be wrong. Again.
What part of “no-cost option” is so difficult for you to understand?
ASSh
Look, why do you bother to come here with nothing coherent to add to the discussion? The problem is that the soldiers who choose to make a career out of the military have put their lives at risk, no matter what the job, for 24/7, 20,30, some even 40 years. And they don’t make jack shit in the long run. And then, what? Strip them of the benefits they earned?
Don’t be a tool.
When the idiots running the asylum are not subject to the same risks as any soldier or held to a better standard of care than our wounded and vets,then, something is wrong. Anyone who must swear an oath of office, and then try to impose the “for thee, not me” bullshit is 100% wrong.
No matter what way you see it…a few bucks to a few pennies…it’s the goddamned principle and they owe it to the troops.
Don’t believe Hoosier…I can vouch for my own Great Uncle. Same deal. But didn’t get the care promised him by the brass. Sue? Nah, He was dead in less than three months. Lou Gerhig’s and war stuff. Luckily, Uncle was a smart guy who worked for Anaconda and retired well. Now, S*T*F*U you smarmy little shit.
Yes, to some on the retired rolls, a few dollar increase would make a difference. Due to not getting COLA this year and the tendency to low ball disability ratings, some guys are just getting by.
In addition, why are military retirees being asked to cough up more while civilian federal employees aren’t? In fact their salaries and benefits continue to increase for sitting on their fat asses. Yet the men and women who risk life and limb (and these days many of us lose the gamble on the limb part) are the first place they target to trim costs. Hell, if Obama cuts his and his family’s vacations in half you could probably fund military retirements for a year or two.
Anyway, go fuck yourself ASH.
ASH:
Unfortunately, the story of the man getting stuck with the bill may be correct.
It’s real simple: The VA will pay for anything the VA does.
Go to a private hospital or doctor/clinic without VA approval first, the bill is yours.
Pinto, you don’t really understand what you’re talking about. VA is different than Tricare….move on!
Gary, seriously? Just getting by? I did 11 years, was medically retired at E-6. My wife has a job, I continue to work. Just getting by? Most military retiree’s get out at 20+ years, most are E-6 and above. Most are 38 years old. Get a freakin Job. Your not dead! Then you can afford the $2 increase.
Defend, nobody is getting stripped of their benefits. Stop scaring people. It’s a $2 increase proposal. We’re talking about paying $40 a month which cover you, and your dependents. Send me your address, I’ll hook you up!
ASH, again, maybe folks are afraid of the “we have to pass the bill, so we know what’s in it” mentality prevalent on the side of the aisle that wants to give away everything to those who do nothing?
And, I’d be all in some of the “cost cutting”, if only it applied to those GS-8’s and above, who seem to multiply like rats. The unionized government employees don’t ever seem to have to bite any bullet, it’s only expected of certain segments of the federal work force.
“Stop scaring people. It’s a $2 increase proposal. We’re talking about paying $40 a month which cover you, and your dependents. Send me your address, I’ll hook you up!”
You still haven’t answered the assertion that it’s more about principle than money. Also, so this time it’s $2,maybe next time it’s 6, maybe another 2 after that, then 10. Incrementalism is insidious, and the best way to fight it is to nip it in the bud. It’s just plain the wrong thing to do when other, better, options are available.
asshat–you do realize that in some circles there is an institutional bias against military careerists, the line of logic being that the career military folks are too set in their ways to “learn” anything? I’ve seen guys at the plant I work at applying for jobs only to be rejected for that very reason, passed over for guys with only a few years of experience who could be more easily “molded”.
Sad statement, but true. It’s much like being let go from a job in your mid-50’s in the civilian world and getting new employment with a new company. Far too often, it simply doesn’t happen.
I’m still waiting to hear what happens when they start taking away ash’s rice bowl. Oh, the whining will have dogs howling in four states when he gets rolling.
BOHICA!
“And, I’d be all in some of the “cost cutting”, if only it applied to those GS-8’s and above, who seem to multiply like rats.”
I guess you don’t like those TACOM, DFAS, or Medical Professionals who are GS-8’s and above.
Frankly, ash, I’d love to see what would happen if public service unions went away and people who worked for the government no longer had the “guarantee” of lifetime employment like the rest of us operate under. And can you HONESTLY tell me that the government needs all the employees they have? What would one of those “cost cutting analysts” find if they were to walk into the DMV, IRS, or any of 100 other governmental offices?
How much is spent on these panels of ‘experts’? FIRE THEM and use that money for other things instead.
ASH:
Okay, let’s try this again.
My husband is a 100% service-connected, medically retired, disabled veteran. He had to have surgery recently. The VA planned on sending him to a VA hospital out-of-state. We asked if it was possible to send him to a local, private hospital that had a specialist capable of doing the surgery. The VA doctor’s answer was (and I quote): “You can go there if you want, but you’ll also pay the bill. If you want the VA to pay the bill, you’ll go to a VA hospital for the surgery.”
And I’ll “move on” when I damn well please.