View Full Version : More cuts to benefits for injured servicemen
Blueflame
03-24-2007, 04:25 AM
In the wake of the Walter Reed scandal, most of us would like to think conditions are getting better for our returning troops, but it looks like more ways have been found to save a buck at the expense of veterans' benefits.
Excerpted from the article:
"He was standing in the doorway of his battalion's headquarters when a 107-millimeter rocket struck two feet above his head. The impact punched a piano-sized hole in the concrete facade, sparked a huge fireball and tossed the 25-year-old Army specialist to the floor, where he lay blacked out among the rubble.
"The next thing I remember is waking up on the ground." Men from his unit had gathered around his body and were screaming his name. "They started shaking me. But I was numb all over," he says. "And it's weird because... because for a few minutes you feel like you're not really there. I could see them, but I couldn't hear them. I couldn't hear anything. I started shaking because I thought I was dead."
Eventually the rocket shrapnel was removed from Town's neck and his ears stopped leaking blood. But his hearing never really recovered, and in many ways, neither has his life. A soldier honored twelve times during his seven years in uniform, Town has spent the last three struggling with deafness, memory failure and depression. By September 2006 he and the Army agreed he was no longer combat-ready.
But instead of sending Town to a medical board and discharging him because of his injuries, doctors at Fort Carson, Colorado, did something strange: They claimed Town's wounds were actually caused by a "personality disorder." Town was then booted from the Army and told that under a personality disorder discharge, he would never receive disability or medical benefits.
Town is not alone."
More at the link.....
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070409/kors
Spider
03-24-2007, 09:40 AM
G.W.Bush's idea of supporting the troops..........But then what else can you expect from a AWOL kinda guy
gunns
03-24-2007, 09:59 AM
G.W.Bush's idea of supporting the troops..........But then what else can you expect from a AWOL kinda guy
"But will you serve another tour in Iraq, your country needs you"
So, so many things wrong with that statement.
Spider
03-24-2007, 11:01 AM
"But will you serve another tour in Iraq, your country needs you"
So, so many things wrong with that statement.
And the saddest part is , there is a threat against America , there is a Jihad against us , but Bush and his merry band of goofballs , mudded up the waters .....When they tied Iraq into the War on terror , lines got blured , now that everyone knows Bush was full of Shít I fear the real threat isnt taken as serious any more .........
Now give the treatment the vets get after serving , more and more people are reluctant to sign up , thus making us weaker .........
Perhaps the war on terror ( if you can actually have a war on a tactic)isnt the way to go , perhaps treating it as a police matter like Clinton did was right ....
The invasion of Afghanistan was the right thing to do , but Bush didnt finish the Job ..... And that cost us alot ...........
We as a country can recover from the damage Bush and the Idiot brigade has done to our country , but it will take time , hard work , and rebuilding of trust ...
Stuck In Texas
03-24-2007, 02:12 PM
I can only speak for myself, but I draw disability from the VA and I just got an increase in my disability allowance thanks to a bill signed by the president.
Spider
03-24-2007, 02:21 PM
I can only speak for myself, but I draw disability from the VA and I just got an increase in my disability allowance thanks to a bill signed by the president.
well I am glad are alive ;D
disability allowance ....does this mean you can make more money to supplement , you disability pay or did you get more money ?
cutthemdown
03-24-2007, 02:22 PM
I know someone whose son is back from Iraq after having lost the sight in one eye unfortunatly. He's being well taken care of thankfully. I'm sure there are cases where troops are getting screwed though. Hopefully people will keep fighting for their care until we can get it right. I think all Americans agree that we need to care for the wounded and not try and screw them out of benefits. Honestly I know a lot of Repubs that wouldn't be supporting Bush if he could run agian. This President has not done a good job. I won't however buy into the Bush is evil etc etc etc. I think he has just blown it when it comes to being a good politician. The first rule is to make sure people don't hate you.
Stuck In Texas
03-24-2007, 02:37 PM
well I am glad are alive ;D
disability allowance ....does this mean you can make more money to supplement , you disability pay or did you get more money ?
I get more money per month. Not enough to live on, but I'm not THAT disabled, lol. To be honest, the best benefit is any medical issues that happened as a result of my military service are treated for free at the VA hospitals. That helps a lot.
Spider
03-24-2007, 02:41 PM
I get more money per month. Not enough to live on, but I'm not THAT disabled, lol. To be honest, the best benefit is any medical issues that happened as a result of my military service are treated for free at the VA hospitals. That helps a lot.
I bet it does . one of my Mother in laws husbands was disabled , from the military , he got zapped by some high voltage , blew out his ankles , and it wasnt funny sneaking up behind him and letting hear the buzz of a hot shot ( cattle prod) ......... I felt bad afterwards about it
Stuck In Texas
03-24-2007, 03:08 PM
I bet it does . one of my Mother in laws husbands was disabled , from the military , he got zapped by some high voltage , blew out his ankles , and it wasnt funny sneaking up behind him and letting hear the buzz of a hot shot ( cattle prod) ......... I felt bad afterwards about it
hahahahaahahahahahahahaahahahahahahaahahahahahaaha ... I feel bad for laughing, but damn that's funny! I feel bad for the guy, but I was drinking some water when I read that and I just spit it out. Thanks, man.
Spider
03-24-2007, 03:12 PM
hahahahaahahahahahahahaahahahahahahaahahahahahaaha ... I feel bad for laughing, but damn that's funny! I feel bad for the guy, but I was drinking some water when I read that and I just spit it out. Thanks, man.
LOL , he had some flash backs ..........I have always wanted to sneak up behind Thiesemann and snap a Chicken bone ..........
gunns
03-24-2007, 09:08 PM
I get more money per month. Not enough to live on, but I'm not THAT disabled, lol. To be honest, the best benefit is any medical issues that happened as a result of my military service are treated for free at the VA hospitals. That helps a lot.
The worst place I've ever experienced was the VA hospital when my ex was taken their after being in intensive care for 10 days at a University Hospital. I won't go into it but I was horrified at how the people there are treated and some of the doctors who still think they are drill sargeants. To pick up a prescription alone is an all day affair. To say the least my son got his father out of there fast and credits that with his fathers recovery.
Bronco Bob
03-24-2007, 09:16 PM
LOL , he had some flash backs ..........I have always wanted to sneak up behind Thiesemann and snap a Chicken bone ..........
Not to hijack the thread, but ESPN has a great ad for Sunday Night Football
a few years back. The whole gang, Berman, Jackson, Thiesemann, and a
few others, were sitting down to a spaghetti dinner, and they started breaking
breadsticks. SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! Suddenly Thiesemann gets up angry and
disgusted and storms out the room. The rest look at each other with
surprised what's his problem looks. About three seconds go by and then
I about busted a gut laughing.
Stuck In Texas
03-24-2007, 10:29 PM
The worst place I've ever experienced was the VA hospital when my ex was taken their after being in intensive care for 10 days at a University Hospital. I won't go into it but I was horrified at how the people there are treated and some of the doctors who still think they are drill sargeants. To pick up a prescription alone is an all day affair. To say the least my son got his father out of there fast and credits that with his fathers recovery.
Gunns, you and I probably don't agree on much, but I'm with you on this one. VA hospitals are rough, IMO, not so much for the way people are treated (that's to be expected with the caseload), but for how long it takes to get some simple things done. I just like the fact that I can get certain medical treatments taken care of without having to go through my insurance. Luckily, at this point I'm mainly on pain meds and rehab, but if I ever need another surgical proceedure I'll probably bite the bullet and go to a civilian hospital.
Blueflame
03-25-2007, 12:20 AM
Speaking of taking a while to get things done.... two years is a long time to wait for surgery.
http://www.wtkr.com/Global/story.asp?S=6268168&nav=ZolHbyvj
Spider
03-25-2007, 01:56 AM
Not to hijack the thread, but ESPN has a great ad for Sunday Night Football
a few years back. The whole gang, Berman, Jackson, Thiesemann, and a
few others, were sitting down to a spaghetti dinner, and they started breaking
breadsticks. SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! Suddenly Thiesemann gets up angry and
disgusted and storms out the room. The rest look at each other with
surprised what's his problem looks. About three seconds go by and then
I about busted a gut laughing.
LOL .. I dont watch much of ESPN any more , probably wont as long as Irvin is there
Swedish Extrovert
03-25-2007, 09:08 AM
I can only speak for myself, but I draw disability from the VA and I just got an increase in my disability allowance thanks to a bill signed by the president.
Of course these increases haven't counted for inflation over the last few years.
TailgateNut
03-25-2007, 09:59 AM
The first rule is to make sure people don't hate you.
Hilarious!
Why the hell do you think so many people hate him.
The first rule should be do your ****ing job, and if you are unable, step the hell aside, or be removed by force if that's what it takes.
Hasn't done a good job???
let's see, here are some of his "accomplishments".
The patriot act bs.
Halliburton
Fema mgt/ "the horsey guy"
Katrina
Iraq torture issues
Secret prisons
Libby
Gonzales
Walter Reed
WMD lies
Warrantless Wiretaps
Signing statements
Iraq quagmire
Mission AccomplishedROFL!
Rummy the Dummy
"the surge"
"with us or against us" (little did we know he was talking about american citizens)
The OBL hunt (I guess he wasn't important)
Yes, Ladies and Gents, we have a "LOOSER" at the helm.
Fire the BUM!
Interestingly, those who are (rightly) slamming the Bush administration for the state of the vets' health care turn right around and demand that all of us be subject to the same thing in the guise of nationalized health insurance.
For some reason, those folks think that the problems inherent in State provision of medical care (as seen in the current situation with vets) will magically go away when all of us are forced into it.
A disconnect, to be sure.
Barry Ramey
03-25-2007, 10:38 AM
Interestingly, those who are (rightly) slamming the Bush administration for the state of the vets' health care turn right around and demand that all of us be subject to the same thing in the guise of nationalized health insurance.
For some reason, those folks think that the problems inherent in State provision of medical care (as seen in the current situation with vets) will magically go away when all of us are forced into it.
A disconnect, to be sure.
Great point. The liberals want government controlled health care, but that's what our vets have, so people want that for themselves?
Spider
03-25-2007, 11:04 AM
Interestingly, those who are (rightly) slamming the Bush administration for the state of the vets' health care turn right around and demand that all of us be subject to the same thing in the guise of nationalized health insurance.
For some reason, those folks think that the problems inherent in State provision of medical care (as seen in the current situation with vets) will magically go away when all of us are forced into it.
A disconnect, to be sure.
LOL ..............wow ..you really thing that the public is set up like the military ?
you really think that if this was going on at St Anthonys hospital in Denver , this wouldnt have gone public along time ago ?
you really believe , that a camera crew could go on to a military base and start filming at will ?
about that bein stupid thing W*GS ...................
Spider
03-25-2007, 11:05 AM
Hilarious! ..........freaking W*GS ........
The difference isn't between State-run health care for vets and State-run health care for civilians, it's between State-run health care and market-driven health care.
Lately you seem to be channeling LABF...
Spider
03-25-2007, 12:55 PM
The difference isn't between State-run health care for vets and State-run health care for civilians, it's between State-run health care and market-driven health care.
Lately you seem to be channeling LABF...
you used the Walter reed as your reference point ......... But what you are driving at is Medicine for Profit vs State ran medicine ........ Let me put it simple as I can , Medicine for Profit is just that , Profit , corners get cut , cost of Healthcare goes up . while the quality of your care goes down , State isnt much better , but at least you can afford to go in and get health care .......... W*GS you need to stop blowing the insurance companies , they are the ones that stand to lose the most ........... Ohand for Channeling LABF , I take that as a compliment , after all he was always right , leaving you on the short end of the debate more then once .........
Stuck In Texas
03-25-2007, 01:27 PM
I have worked with Brits and Canadians in the past and none of the ones I've talked to were big fans of socialized medicine. They complained that it took weeks or months to get even routine appointments much less appointments for surgeries, etc. The only foreign country where I've personally experienced the health care system was Germany. My son had to be seen for an emergency situation. They did a nice job fixing him up, no complaints there, but I think they have the same issue for routine appointments.
The way I see it is that there must be some reason that so many people come to the U.S. for medical treatment. I agree that the cost of health care is too expensive, but there has to be a better alternative than socialized medicine.
Spider
03-25-2007, 01:41 PM
I have worked with Brits and Canadians in the past and none of the ones I've talked to were big fans of socialized medicine. They complained that it took weeks or months to get even routine appointments much less appointments for surgeries, etc. The only foreign country where I've personally experienced the health care system was Germany. My son had to be seen for an emergency situation. They did a nice job fixing him up, no complaints there, but I think they have the same issue for routine appointments.
The way I see it is that there must be some reason that so many people come to the U.S. for medical treatment. I agree that the cost of health care is too expensive, but there has to be a better alternative than socialized medicine.
I am all for a alternative if it is out there ........here is what gets me , my Brother pays X amount of dollars on me for workmans comp ....... That pales in comparision to what Ford , GM , Dodge pay in healthcare for retired employees .......
between workmans comp and the health package these companies carry , health cost is dragging alot of companies down ..........
if we could find a alternative form I am all for it , but I dont think the Medicine for profit system is working
Stuck In Texas
03-25-2007, 01:45 PM
I am all for a alternative if it is out there ........here is what gets me , my Brother pays X amount of dollars on me for workmans comp ....... That pales in comparision to what Ford , GM , Dodge pay in healthcare for retired employees .......
between workmans comp and the health package these companies carry , health cost is dragging alot of companies down ..........
if we could find a alternative form I am all for it , but I dont think the Medicine for profit system is working
Yeah, it's a tough issue. Like I said, I think health care is too expensive, but I'm not sure what can be done. Right now, I think the biggest problem is with the drug companies. It seems like they are charging way too much, but I realize that a lot of them have probably spent a lot of their own money in R&D. It's tough. I definitely don't have the answers. To me, the solution is a lot like art... I can't define it, but I'll know it when I see it. lol
Spider
03-25-2007, 01:48 PM
see the insurance companies stand the most to lose , if we switch systems , Light is just now shinning on how these insurance companies work with Katrina disaster ........
insurance companies can not be trusted ....... Just like Workmans comp , it cant be trusted either .......
Spider
03-25-2007, 01:49 PM
Yeah, it's a tough issue. Like I said, I think health care is too expensive, but I'm not sure what can be done. Right now, I think the biggest problem is with the drug companies. It seems like they are charging way too much, but I realize that a lot of them have probably spent a lot of their own money in R&D. It's tough. I definitely don't have the answers. To me, the solution is a lot like art... I can't define it, but I'll know it when I see it. lol
;D well we both agree changes would be good ......... and I agree about art
Barry Ramey
03-25-2007, 02:34 PM
Hmm, let's look at the irony. I mean it's great the liberals are finally concerned with the care our troops get, but our troops get what for health care ? Oh yeah, government controlled health care, the same kind of care Hillary and other liberals like her want us all to have. Yeah, looks just wonderful. But let's guess, adding millions more people to such a system would make it run smoother and so much better. Idiots!
Spider
03-25-2007, 03:00 PM
Hmm, let's look at the irony. I mean it's great the liberals are finally concerned with the care our troops get, but our troops get what for health care ? Oh yeah, government controlled health care, the same kind of care Hillary and other liberals like her want us all to have. Yeah, looks just wonderful. But let's guess, adding millions more people to such a system would make it run smoother and so much better. Idiots!
are you really this stupid or is it an act ?
you used the Walter reed as your reference point .........
As an example of State-run health care.
But what you are driving at is Medicine for Profit vs State ran medicine ........ Let me put it simple as I can , Medicine for Profit is just that , Profit , corners get cut , cost of Healthcare goes up . while the quality of your care goes down , State isnt much better , but at least you can afford to go in and get health care
The only reason individuals think State-run health care is "affordable" is because millions of others subsidize it without a choice to do so. If an Escalade cost you $25 because millions of others paid for the remainder, you'd think it was "affordable".
The State has so infiltrated the health care system that it's no wonder it's completely ****ed up.
W*GS you need to stop blowing the insurance companies , they are the ones that stand to lose the most ...........
You need to stop bending over and spreading 'em for the State. It's people like you we don't need.
Ohand for Channeling LABF , I take that as a compliment , after all he was always right , leaving you on the short end of the debate more then once .........
Ya sure ya betcha. LABF was a joke - hysteria with a big dose of bitterness and fear. That you think highly of him tells me you don't know ****.
Barry Ramey
03-25-2007, 03:22 PM
are you really this stupid or is it an act ?
I'm not shocked you don't get it. I was in the Army not long ago, I know all about the health care issues that have gone on and has been ignored until now. But what would a deadbeat know about serving your country? Nothing.
Spider
03-25-2007, 03:57 PM
As an example of State-run health care. and thats what I answered
The only reason individuals think State-run health care is "affordable" is because millions of others subsidize it without a choice to do so. If an Escalade cost you $25 because millions of others paid for the remainder, you'd think it was "affordable". we do that now through insurance , you do understand that Premiums are high to cover the cost of the uninsured .........
The State has so infiltrated the health care system that it's no wonder it's completely ****ed up. as opposed not getting health care cause you cant afford it .........
You need to stop bending over and spreading 'em for the State. It's people like you we don't need. Yeah anarchy is so much better ..tell me why you defend the insurance companies like you do ? what about State farm in N.O ?
Ya sure ya betcha. LABF was a joke - hysteria with a big dose of bitterness and fear. That you think highly of him tells me you don't know ****.
LOL yeah .....LABF tore you a new one every time you posted , he even had you so pissed off you wanted to fight him ......
Spider
03-25-2007, 04:01 PM
I'm not shocked you don't get it. I was in the Army not long ago, I know all about the health care issues that have gone on and has been ignored until now. But what would a deadbeat know about serving your country? Nothing.
yeah right Barry , you have spouted shít , nothing to back you up , I doubt you was in the Military , I seriously doubt you even have a clue as to what is going on around you , all you need is talking points , you post them over and over .......
Blueflame
03-25-2007, 04:03 PM
As an example of State-run health care.
State-run health care outsourced to a subsidiary of Halliburton....
as opposed not getting health care cause you cant afford it .........
What makes health care any different than any other good or service?
LOL yeah .....LABF tore you a new one every time you posted , he even had you so pissed off you wanted to fight him ......
LABF is getting the same karma back that he put out... Consider that.
Spider
03-25-2007, 04:30 PM
What makes health care any different than any other good or service?
what makes it the same ?
LABF is getting the same karma back that he put out... Consider that.
so your family is immortal ? never had a death in the family or someone close to you ? ............ when it does happen consider it Karma ........pretty stupid thing to say ......
what makes it the same ?
You first - tell me why health care is something like a "right"...
so your family is immortal ? never had a death in the family or someone close to you ? ............ when it does happen consider it Karma ........pretty stupid thing to say ......
No, not really. The world around you gives you back what you give out. A life dominated by anger, bitterness and fear is not a happy life. As far I could tell, those three, plus a few other negative states, pretty much comprised all of LABF's existence. Sad, really.
Spider
03-25-2007, 05:23 PM
You first - tell me why health care is something like a "right"...
Never said it was a right , I pointed out that you are already paying , for free Health care , just wondering why you want to help insurance companies ....... now your turn............
No, not really. The world around you gives you back what you give out. A life dominated by anger, bitterness and fear is not a happy life. As far I could tell, those three, plus a few other negative states, pretty much comprised all of LABF's existence. Sad, really.
well then good thing for you stupidity doesnt fall under Karma , or your family would be toast .........
Bronco Bob
03-25-2007, 05:35 PM
The only reason individuals think State-run health care is "affordable" is because millions of others subsidize it without a choice to do so. If an Escalade cost you $25 because millions of others paid for the remainder, you'd think it was "affordable".
First off the government would never pop for subsidizing an Escalade,
gas hog, etc. But leaving that aside, what's wrong with everyone getting
to buy an Escalade for $25, or any other car they wanted for that amount
under a Universal Car Buying Program? You drive on the highway for
free because everybody pays for it. The highway is kept safe because
everybody pays for the highway patrol to enforce traffic safety.
If there is a river, you have a bridge to cross it, because everybody
pays for it. Are you suggesting each individual should build his
own bridge across the river, and pave the road to his house to
get there and back? And if someone speeds on your own private
road you run them down and demand they pay you a fine?
Never said it was a right , I pointed out that you are already paying , for free Health care , just wondering why you want to help insurance companies ....... now your turn............
There's a middle ground between HMOs and the like and socialized medicine. Far be it from you to see it, however.
well then good thing for you stupidity doesnt fall under Karma , or your family would be toast .........
Uh-hunh. Back to channelling that bitter, ol' angry LABF again, I see.
First off the government would never pop for subsidizing an Escalade,
Actually, we all do - the billions we spend to keep the oil flowing to us from overseas is an implicit subsidy.
But leaving that aside, what's wrong with everyone getting to buy an Escalade for $25, or any other car they wanted for that amount under a Universal Car Buying Program?
That would be corporate welfare. I figured lefties would be against such a thing.
You drive on the highway for free because everybody pays for it. The highway is kept safe because everybody pays for the highway patrol to enforce traffic safety. If there is a river, you have a bridge to cross it, because everybody pays for it.
Toll roads and bridges solve those issues.
gunns
03-25-2007, 08:50 PM
Hmm, let's look at the irony. I mean it's great the liberals are finally concerned with the care our troops get, but our troops get what for health care ? Oh yeah, government controlled health care, the same kind of care Hillary and other liberals like her want us all to have. Yeah, looks just wonderful. But let's guess, adding millions more people to such a system would make it run smoother and so much better. Idiots!
Yeah if you can't get a job that offers health care or have one that takes half your paycheck in premiums and you don't take it....then you are at fault for dying. Did you read the article recently about the boy whose parents couldn't take him to the dentist because they did not have insurance and his brother had 6 bad teeth they were paying to fix and the boy only had 1. Well the infection went to his brain, they ended up doing two brain surgeries and he eventually died. Dumbass parents should have paid for some insurance rather than feeding those kids which contributed to their teeth going bad.
While I don't particularly want government controlled health care, I do want it available to every American. But gee Barry, would hate to see YOU inconvenienced.
gunns
03-25-2007, 08:58 PM
You first - tell me why health care is something like a "right"...
Why should it be available only to those that can afford it? Not having health care is costing us even more. The higher prices we pay at the hospital and doctors office are because of those that don't have it. So basically we are already paying for socialized medicine. And it's not the poor of which I speak. They can get welfare, which we pay for, it's the lower middle Americans.
Why should it be available only to those that can afford it?
So give some of your money to someone you know who can't afford health care.
Not having health care is costing us even more.
So long as the market signals for proper health care are so screwed up (partly by the State, partly by the disincentives to taking care of yourself), dreaming that the government can step in and "fix" the system is delusional. Remember, absolutely nothing the State does is free.
State-run health care outsourced to a subsidiary of Halliburton....
I haven't been able to verify this factoid, but the larger problem is the ridiculous level of bureaucracy. That's another "benefit" of State-run...
Spider
03-26-2007, 12:56 AM
There's a middle ground between HMOs and the like and socialized medicine. Far be it from you to see it, however.
I had a HMO once , I will admit it was 18 years ago , but I got busted up pretty bad in a brawl , went ot go use the HMO , nothing , not one once of protection , all they covered was health maintenance..........and no the Brawl wasnt my fault .....
Uh-hunh. Back to channelling that bitter, ol' angry LABF again, I see.
yeah , he owned you pretty good ;D
Blueflame
03-26-2007, 02:58 AM
I haven't been able to verify this factoid, but the larger problem is the ridiculous level of bureaucracy. That's another "benefit" of State-run...
It's not a "factoid"; it's an easily-verifiable fact.
Excerpt:
"Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, who was Walter Reed's commander until he was relieved last week, testified this week that the privatization -- in combination with a decision by the Pentagon in 2005 to close Walter Reed by 2011 -- "absolutely" contributed to the problems."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/09/AR2007030902082.html
cutthemdown
03-26-2007, 03:08 AM
I am all for a alternative if it is out there ........here is what gets me , my Brother pays X amount of dollars on me for workmans comp ....... That pales in comparision to what Ford , GM , Dodge pay in healthcare for retired employees .......
between workmans comp and the health package these companies carry , health cost is dragging alot of companies down ..........
if we could find a alternative form I am all for it , but I dont think the Medicine for profit system is working
if doctors and hospitals can't get rich they won't do it.
It's not a "factoid"; it's an easily-verifiable fact.
IAP isn't a subsidiary of Halliburton, as far as I can tell.
Excerpt:
"Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, who was Walter Reed's commander until he was relieved last week, testified this week that the privatization -- in combination with a decision by the Pentagon in 2005 to close Walter Reed by 2011 -- "absolutely" contributed to the problems."
Of course he's gonna say that - he's in ass-covering mode.
Garcia Bronco
03-26-2007, 11:42 AM
I am all for a alternative if it is out there ........here is what gets me , my Brother pays X amount of dollars on me for workmans comp ....... That pales in comparision to what Ford , GM , Dodge pay in healthcare for retired employees .......
between workmans comp and the health package these companies carry , health cost is dragging alot of companies down ..........
if we could find a alternative form I am all for it , but I dont think the Medicine for profit system is working
That's why the President came up with a great idea for health care being tax deduct and congress does nothing. That way we pay for the health care we want and can afford, and take it awya from businesses.
Blueflame
03-26-2007, 04:13 PM
IAP isn't a subsidiary of Halliburton, as far as I can tell.
Of course he's gonna say that - he's in ass-covering mode.
From the linked article:
Some Democratic lawmakers have questioned the decision to hire IAP Worldwide Services, a contractor with connections to the Bush administration and to KBR, a Halliburton subsidiary
bendog
03-26-2007, 04:32 PM
That's why the President came up with a great idea for health care being tax deduct and congress does nothing. That way we pay for the health care we want and can afford, and take it awya from businesses.
And lower our net wages and up corp profits even further, even though they're higher as a percent of gnp than at any time since the beginning fo the great depression. Hail BUSHII
From the linked article:
Some Democratic lawmakers have questioned the decision to hire IAP Worldwide Services, a contractor with connections to the Bush administration and to KBR, a Halliburton subsidiary
"Connections to" isn't the same as "is".
Blueflame
03-26-2007, 05:03 PM
"Connections to" isn't the same as "is".
Same execs; same tactics.
"IAP is owned by Cerberus Capital Management LP, an asset-management firm chaired by former Treasury secretary John W. Snow. The company is headed by two former high-ranking executives of KBR, formerly known as Kellogg Brown & Root. Al Neffgen, IAP's chief executive, was chief operating officer for a KBR division before joining IAP in 2004. IAP's president, Dave Swindle, is a former KBR vice president."
Last year, IAP won a $120 million contract to maintain and operate Walter Reed facilities. The decision reversed a 2004 finding by the Army that it would be more cost-effective to keep the work in-house. After IAP protested, Army auditors ruled that the cost estimates offered by in-house federal workers were too low. They had to submit a new bid, which added 23 employees and $16 million to their cost, according to the Army.
Yesterday, the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal workers union, blamed pressure on the Army from the White House's Office of Management and Budget for the decision to privatize its civilian workforce.
"Left to its own devices, the Army would likely have suspended this privatization effort," John Gage, president of the organization, said in a statement. "However, the political pressure from OMB left Army officials with no choice but to go forward, even if that resulted in unsatisfactory care to the nation's veterans."
Bronco_Beerslug
03-26-2007, 05:15 PM
That's why the President came up with a great idea for health care being tax deduct and congress does nothing. That way we pay for the health care we want and can afford, and take it awya from businesses.His idea sucks and was immediately dismissed by experts as it would only cover costs for approx. 9 million uninsured and end up costing over 5.5 billion dollars. Two different democratic plans would each cover all the uninsured actually lower spending.
Same execs; same tactics.
IAP isn't a subsidiary of Halliburton. Yes, its executives used to work for KBR, but let's be exact.
Yesterday, the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal workers union, blamed pressure on the Army from the White House's Office of Management and Budget for the decision to privatize its civilian workforce.
Of course the fed employee's union is gonna bitch about losing some chunk of the slop from the trough. But, now that the Dems are back in power, they'll get more goodies - after all, they've bought and paid for the Democratic Party, now it's quid pro quo time...
Garcia Bronco
03-26-2007, 05:26 PM
His idea sucks and was immediately dismissed by experts as it would only cover costs for approx. 9 million uninsured and end up costing over 5.5 billion dollars. Two different democratic plans would each cover all the uninsured actually lower spending.
Sweet. Then where is it? Why aren't they voting on it?
Two different democratic plans would each cover all the uninsured actually lower spending.
"Generate revenue"? For whom? The government? Then the taxes to pay for such plans are too high.
Blueflame
03-26-2007, 05:41 PM
IAP isn't a subsidiary of Halliburton. Yes, its executives used to work for KBR, but let's be exact.
Sure... we can play semantics if that's what floats your boat. Same execs; same tactics... same preferential treatment from this administration. Oh, and same substandard return on the investment of American taxpayer dollars. IAP is virtually indistinguishable from KBR.
Of course the fed employee's union is gonna b**** about losing some chunk of the slop from the trough. But, now that the Dems are back in power, they'll get more goodies - after all, they've bought and paid for the Democratic Party, now it's quid pro quo time...
As if quid pro quo hasn't been a staple of politics... well... forever. Privatization of Walter Reed did not result in improved conditions for the wounded troops treated there, and that's what's important here.
Blueflame
03-28-2007, 09:44 PM
Excerpts from the article:
"The Army's new acting surgeon general said yesterday that she is concerned about long-term morale because the military lacks money to hire enough nurses and mental health specialists to treat thousands of troops coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan.
When the original plans were made, we did not take into consideration we could be in a long war," said Major General Gale Pollock. She became surgeon general this month after Kevin Kiley was forced to resign in a scandal over poor treatment of war-wounded at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
"We have not been able to do the hiring," Pollock told a House Armed Services subcommittee."
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"We're now in the fifth year of this armed conflict," said Burr, of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. "At what point do we actually look at what's going on and implement changes?"
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/03/28/veterans_care_underfunded_general_says/