tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763791.post1025751316565034934..comments2023-10-31T05:07:19.353-04:00Comments on Delenda est Carthago: How about “Math Up”?Dr. Φhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14086783503820477029noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763791.post-57378238251472855092015-02-19T14:31:15.734-05:002015-02-19T14:31:15.734-05:00Just like they forced us into medicare after age 6...Just like they forced us into medicare after age 65.<br /><br />Retiree health care costs are still paid by the DoD budget and, just like GM's Union retirees, are breaking the bank. Retirement and health care costs for guys who are living longer and demanding more expensive services are unsustainable in a pay as you go annual budget. Every new defense dollar is mostly consumed paying for the defense we bought decades ago. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763791.post-30523739153836775652015-02-19T14:25:33.370-05:002015-02-19T14:25:33.370-05:00If it's just the cost of a Starbucks Latte, th...If it's just the cost of a Starbucks Latte, then Congress should just pick up the tab. I heard that, "This will make health care cheaper" argument before.<br /><br />BTW, my family is on Tricare standard so I pay no premiums but I do pay a 20% cost share of the bills as they come in, after an annual per patient cap is reached.<br /><br />The real benefit of tricare though is the power of the federal government telling suppliers how much they are allowed to charge (the Dr reimbursement rate). That right now is around 15% of what they charge other large insurers and I am sure my doctors see me as a charity case because of it. I dread ever having to find a new doctor or specialist who will accept me.<br /><br />And the VA could save a lot of money if they stopped treating non service connected illness: heart problem on 75 year old guys who served three years in Germany in the 60's. <br /><br />I am really glad us retirees are exempt from the VA system. I can imagine a day when the government decides to force us into it to "save money". Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763791.post-84940589386548722082015-02-19T13:42:05.829-05:002015-02-19T13:42:05.829-05:00Heresolong: Perhaps. But the article isn't r...Heresolong: Perhaps. But the article isn't really addressing the VA, it's addressing retirees whose families are covered by Tricare when they're not receiving care at military hospitals. That's a separate system from the VA, which covers service-connected disabilities for veterans who separated without retirement.Dr. Φhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14086783503820477029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763791.post-54078724811090365502015-02-18T21:39:54.648-05:002015-02-18T21:39:54.648-05:00I have long been a proponent of giving each eligib...I have long been a proponent of giving each eligible veteran (ie retired or service connected disability) a voucher good for a certain number of dollars to purchase medical insurance. Then auction off the VA medical system hospitals and clinics to the highest bidder. <br /><br />Imagine. Medical care from a doctor in your town instead of a two hour drive to the nearest VA hospital, only to be told you need to come back in two weeks.<br /><br />It would probably cost the government less and result in better care for veterans since you could switch your doctor if you didn't like them.<br /><br />Unfortunately I am not in a position of power so have no say in the matter.heresolonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00461382067580153600noreply@blogger.com