Obama to Soldiers: Pay Up!

[PsyOps (Premo)]

Originally Posted by MSTR-P

Fellow retiree and I agree that in order for the standards of service to exceed what we have come to expect, we need to pay increases along the way; however, the rates just increased in October 2011. I don't believe the current administration should increase the Tricare fees again just because their leader can't balance a check book.

You sound like you’re a politician. You do realize there was a promise to retirees that health insurance would be fully covered by the government in which we served. My mom worked for the state of MD for 23 years. She earned her full benefits and pays nothing into her health insurance. Why is this different for the military? I’ll tell you why, because it’s what our government does to the easiest target to jack up costs for. For those do the most in our society get paid the least.

Bottom line… WE – retirees – many of us – paid dearly in service to our country. We shouldn’t have to pay ANYTHING in addition to what we have already paid. Our government should stand by its promises and stop screwing our retirees.

And I’ll say another thing… We have men and women coming back maimed and dead. We have to have charities like “The Wounded Warrior’s Project” to supplement what the government FAILS to provide. The people losing arms, legs, eyes, mental capabilities, etc… are virtually left to fend for themselves. We should NEVER have to rely on charities to get them through their struggles. Every one of them for their priceless sacrifice should be put up in mansions with every available accommodation known to man to help in their daily lives. Instead our government abandons them. Some of them live in decrepit conditions, some even homeless. They should not have to work another day of their lives unless they want to. When our members of congress merit themselves pensions and lifetime health insurance, even from serving just one term, virtually doing nothing but cause more problems in society, yet they leave our true heroes stranded and broken.

The whole thing should make every American sick as to how our veterans are treated.

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by PsyOps

As usual, the ones that sacrifice the most are expected to sacrifice even more.

You know, there are a lot of folks in the military that voted for Obama and these liberals that have so little regard for our military. I wonder what they'll do this time around. I just can't believe they'd keep voting for the people that aim to destroy all that was promised them.

I might be misreading you but here goes anyway .....lots of folks in the MILITARY that voted for Obama and are liberals have little regard for the MILITARY?

No offense but there are a lot of reasons we liberals have served and will probably continue to serve but I never heard anyone say - they serve because they have little regard for the military and double double no offense but raising TRICARE premiums is not a new idea that started with Obama. Bush brought it up three times and it was rejected three times.

[MSTR-P]

Originally Posted by PsyOps

You sound like you’re a politician. You do realize there was a promise to retirees that health insurance would be fully covered by the government in which we served. My mom worked for the state of MD for 23 years. She earned her full benefits and pays nothing into her health insurance. Why is this different for the military? I’ll tell you why, because it’s what our government does to the easiest target to jack up costs for. For those do the most in our society get paid the least.

Bottom line… WE – retirees – many of us – paid dearly in service to our country. We shouldn’t have to pay ANYTHING in addition to what we have already paid. Our government should stand by its promises and stop screwing our retirees.

And I’ll say another thing… We have men and women coming back maimed and dead. We have to have charities like “The Wounded Warrior’s Project” to supplement what the government FAILS to provide. The people losing arms, legs, eyes, mental capabilities, etc… are virtually left to fend for themselves. We should NEVER have to rely on charities to get them through their struggles. Every one of them for their priceless sacrifice should be put up in mansions with every available accommodation known to man to help in their daily lives. Instead our government abandons them. Some of them live in decrepit conditions, some even homeless. They should not have to work another day of their lives unless they want to. When our members of congress merit themselves pensions and lifetime health insurance, even from serving just one term, virtually doing nothing but cause more problems in society, yet they leave our true heroes stranded and broken.

The whole thing should make every American sick as to how our veterans are treated.

Politician...No, I am not. I am probably to young, but I don't remember the promise of full medical benefits made (with no premium) to folks after they retire (under normal conditions) from the military? A few folks I served with, that were medically retired due to combat related injuries, don't pay at all for any of their medical services, and that is the way it should be; however, I retired with zero disability (lucky) and in my opinion, should pay a premium to continue my Tricare medical coverage.

I certainly agree with you and the way our government is treating our wounded veterans, and programs like the WWP are indeed needed and do a fantastic job representing our guys/gals that require assistance.

As far as your Mom's situation (state vs federal govt)...years ago, benefits were different. I work with folks that don't have Social Security taken out of their paychecks, because back when they started, you could opt out and just never submit a claim. Things are different now...retirement plans have changed and unless you were in before and got "grandfathered" you fall under the new system.

Veterans deserve our utmost respect and admiration. Disabled veterans should be cared for their entire lives and like you stated, should never have to work again, unless they choose.

[PsyOps (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Dixie

I might be misreading you but here goes anyway .....lots of folks in the MILITARY that voted for Obama and are liberals have little regard for the MILITARY?

No offense but there are a lot of reasons we liberals have served and will probably continue to serve but I never heard anyone say - they serve because they have little regard for the military and double double no offense but raising TRICARE premiums is not a new idea that started with Obama. Bush brought it up three times and it was rejected three times.

I apparently worded that very poorly.

With an extreme few exceptions our military do not fall into that category simply because they voted for Obama. I was talking about our politicians.

This isn’t strictly about TriCare. Progressive liberals traditionally have been outspoken in their loathing of the military. They are the ones who you see protesting our wars and spitting on our vets. They’re the ones that will sue you for flying your flag in your yard. They are the ones you see burning our flag. They are the ones that you see asking “All this just for a flag?”

And perhaps I should be more clear… I would encourage our military folks and vets to vote out anyone – D or R – that perpetuates the growing plight of our military and their dwindling benefits. Currently we have a very liberal president that seems bent on further eroding our military’s rightfully earned benefits.

Never once do I ever want to even infer that any of our military – liberal or conservative – serve with less honor and duty simply because of who they voted for. As a retiree I served under Reagan, HW, Clinton, and W and I didn’t serve with any less seriousness under any president over the other. I am now a military contractor and do my job with all seriousness regardless of who is in that WH. Regadless of whether I disagree with their politics, that president derserves my aboslute dedication to helping our DoD protect this country. My politics never interfered in my service. And I believe this is the case with all of our members.

But, if you have politicians bent on eroding our benefits while protecting their own, then they have to go.

BTW… no offense taken.

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by PsyOps

I apparently worded that very poorly.

With an extreme few exceptions our military do not fall into that category simply because they voted for Obama. I was talking about our politicians.

This isn’t strictly about TriCare. Progressive liberals traditionally have been outspoken in their loathing of the military. They are the ones who you see protesting our wars and spitting on our vets. They’re the ones that will sue you for flying your flag in your yard. They are the ones you see burning our flag. They are the ones that you see asking “All this just for a flag?”

And perhaps I should be more clear… I would encourage our military folks and vets to vote out anyone – D or R – that perpetuates the growing plight of our military and their dwindling benefits. Currently we have a very liberal president that seems bent on further eroding our military’s rightfully earned benefits.

Never once do I ever want to even infer that any of our military – liberal or conservative – serve with less honor and duty simply because of who they voted for. As a retiree I served under Reagan, HW, Clinton, and W and I didn’t serve with any less seriousness under any president over the other. I am now a military contractor and do my job with all seriousness regardless of who is in that WH. Regadless of whether I disagree with their politics, that president derserves my aboslute dedication to helping our DoD protect this country. My politics never interfered in my service. And I believe this is the case with all of our members.

But, if you have politicians bent on eroding our benefits while protecting their own, then they have to go.

BTW… no offense taken.

Thanks for clarifying!

[PsyOps (Premo)]

Originally Posted by MSTR-P

Politician...No, I am not. I am probably to young, but I don't remember the promise of full medical benefits made (with no premium) to folks after they retire (under normal conditions) from the military? A few folks I served with, that were medically retired due to combat related injuries, don't pay at all for any of their medical services, and that is the way it should be; however, I retired with zero disability (lucky) and in my opinion, should pay a premium to continue my Tricare medical coverage.

I certainly agree with you and the way our government is treating our wounded veterans, and programs like the WWP are indeed needed and do a fantastic job representing our guys/gals that require assistance.

As far as your Mom's situation (state vs federal govt)...years ago, benefits were different. I work with folks that don't have Social Security taken out of their paychecks, because back when they started, you could opt out and just never submit a claim. Things are different now...retirement plans have changed and unless you were in before and got "grandfathered" you fall under the new system.

Veterans deserve our utmost respect and admiration. Disabled veterans should be cared for their entire lives and like you stated, should never have to work again, unless they choose.

There are members that, when they retired, were getting full government-provided healthcare. Now they have to pay. There were those that joined when it was government-provided and told (promised) that one of the benefits of retiring would be ‘free’ medical care. That turned out not to be. It sounds like you fall under the second category.

I’m not going to try to convince you that we shouldn’t have to pay. Our premiums are quite low comparatively, and I have no complaints about the service I get with TriCare. But the bigger concern is how, as is with the way our government does thing in small pieces as if not to be noticeable, a lot of us can see our benefits slowly eroding. Raising premiums, when we were promised ‘free’ care. Dental is gone. Talks about doing away with the retirement pension and going to a 401k system.

They are destroying any incentive for career military

[itsbob]

Originally Posted by MSTR-P

Yes they did. For folks that retired on or after October 1, 2011 pay a higher premium for the same coverage as those who retired prior to that.

Or choose the Tri-Care option that doesn't cost a thing until you use it..

[MSTR-P]

Originally Posted by itsbob

Or choose the Tri-Care option that doesn't cost a thing until you use it..

Not aware of this coverage. I thought there were only two choices...Prime and Standard, until you hit 65. Both have an annual fee. Tell me more please.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by MSTR-P

Not aware of this coverage. I thought there were only two choices...Prime and Standard, until you hit 65. Both have an annual fee. Tell me more please.

Standard does not. If you don't use it, it doesn't cost a thing.

[itsbob]

Originally Posted by Pete

Standard does not. If you don't use it, it doesn't cost a thing.

Then you get a supplemental plan that covers most, if not all, any other costs..

I BELIEVE with Prime, even with the monthly fees there is still a deductible, in patient fees, and portions you have to pay out of pocket?