Sunday, January 13, 2013

DoD cuts Health Care For Retirees: Good Idea? Uh, No!


Dear Mr. President,

I have just learned that the Department of Defense has decided to cut the health care benefits that retired military members receive as part of the retirement contract. According to military.com , this slap to service members has been in the works since 2007 and is just now coming to light.

Mr. President, I was led to believe that you wanted more health care, not less?

You must know that with all of the new expenses in 2013 this will really pound on the families of veterans who sacrificed much to serve this country, served with honor.

Especially egregious is the fact that, while having been approved for years and new provider contracts completed last year, it was decided to keep the cuts quiet because it "might be used by politicians this fall".  Putting politics ahead of families is always unconscionable. The DoD leaves families little time to adjust to the new expenses: some as soon as 78 days (West Region). And there is still no official announcement of the change.  This new expense is on top of the restored payroll tax, new health care taxes (with cuts in medical deductions) and other increases in the cost of living. Planning and implementing it while conducting a war makes it just that much more shocking and illogical.

Since the DoD will not give us a heads-up, it is my intention to make as many veterans as can aware of the coming increase in their health care expenses.

Cutting health care to veterans implies a disregard for those who served and the promises made. However it became the policy, I'm sure you are going to look out for your troops and their families and put a stop to it. Your signature on an executive order would be all it takes.

If there is anything veterans do not need is another expense to worry about.

Thank you for your support
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Ref: 171,000 Retirees Likely To Lose Tricare Prime (Military.com - http://goo.gl/tJv17)