American Legions Objections To VA Billing, For It In 2007

by: Colonel "Joe" USAR

Thu Mar 19, 2009 at 10:26:19 AM EDT

First, one has to realize that the VA has always had the policy of seeking medicare, medicaid and other private insurance information on enrollment. Historically, this has allowed the VA to seek re-imbursement for much of a Veterans care.

Earlier this month the American Legion came out against the proposed Administration policy of seeking additional revenue services;

WASHINGTON, March 16 PRNewswire-USNewswire -- The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization says he is "deeply disappointed and concerned" after a meeting with President Obama today to discuss a proposal to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries. The Obama administration recently revealed a plan to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in such cases.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/2...

Another fact that the public is largely unaware of is the fact that the Bush Administration slammed shut the opportunity to enroll in the VA system denying treatment for hundreds of thousands of Veterans that served their country;

In January 2003, the Bush Administration decided to cease new enrollments of "Priority 8" veterans, defined as those with no service-connected disability and an annual income, on average, no greater than $24,000. The President's budget would make this policy permanent. According to VA estimates, this decision will deny prescription drugs and other VA services to 522,000 veterans by the end of Fiscal Year 2005. The President's Task Force concluded that the "present uncertain access status and funding of Priority Group 8 veterans is unacceptable."

http://democrats.senate.gov/dp...

In 2007, the American Legion came out in support of the VA obtaining further re-imbursements from insurers;

If an increase in existing appropriations is the problem, then The American Legion strongly recommends looking to alternative revenue streams.

http://www.legion.org/document...

There was an opportunity to dramatically increase dollars for veterans care and it has been lost.

Veterans have been failed today both the left and right, as they usually are when partisan politics enters into the mix.

UPDATE: In a different diary I posed a question in the comments that is worthwhile for anyone to work through before making a decision on the merits of what Obama had proposed;

Imagine for a moment that you work as a lobbyist for a Veterans organization whose sole mission is get the most dollars to the VA Health Care System. Those are the "blinders" that you must wear.

Today, as we converse the VA does obtain third party re-imbursement for things like blood work and some prescriptions.

Do you support the VA stopping getting re-imbursement for these items?

Today, VA Health Care is not fully funded to provide care to ALL Veterans. Unlike the status quo in the year 2002, some veterans are excluded from VA Health Care today.

Do you support the VA policy in 2002 or the policy in 2008?

In the absence of additional funding from Congress, what should the VA do in order to get additional dollars to provide health care to Veterans?

Today, there are disabled service connected Veterans who are also on Medicare. Should the VA attempt to collect from Medicare? If no, why?

Today, there are disabled service connected Veterans who are also on Medicaid. Should the VA attempt to collect from Medicaid? If no, why?

Today, there are disabled service connected Veterans who are also on Retiree Tricare. Should the VA attempt to collect from Retiree Tricare? If no, why?

Today, there are disabled service connected Veterans who are also on Employee Federal Health Care Programs. Should the VA attempt to collect from these Employee Federal Health Care Programs? If no, why?

Today, there are disabled service connected Veterans who are also on Employee State Run Health Care Programs. Should the VA attempt to collect from these Employee State Run Health Care Programs? If no, why?

Remember, you need to answer these with the blinders of doing what is solely best for Veterans.