Subject: MRGRG and Military Retiree Health Care Make the News
Several weeks ago I forwarded several articles concerning the military health care situation as published in the San Antonio Express news by Dr Maria Felix-Ortiz. I also requested that you drop her a line explaining more about the situation. Apparently enough of us did (usually one letter won't get much results) and she she has come up with another column on the subject. Although she didn't pick my letter, the one she did has some of the same wording. An indication that we may all be on the same sheet of music. Anyone who knows who RS of Tampa Bay is? Thanks to him for a great letter.
An e-mail to the good doctor would be appropriate.
If you need a reminder on the previous columns, they can be found at:
Dr. María Félix-Ortiz: Retired veteran says promises regarding health care broken
Web Posted: 01/01/2008 12:03 PM CST
San Antonio Express-News
Dear Dr. Felix-Ortiz: I am a retired military veteran with a little over 35 years of active military service. I retired in 1981.
The distinction between a veteran and a military-retiree veteran is important because funding and responsibility for health care is different for each. Anyone who serves in the military fewer than 20 years is a veteran, and is supported by the Veterans Administration. Anyone who makes a career of the military and retires after 20 or more years of service is a military-retiree veteran, and is supported by the Department of Defense budget/funding. Several years ago, a law was passed that transferred funding for military retiree veterans to the Treasury Department. For some reason, this transfer never occurred. DOD continues to complain they cannot buy enough guns, bullets, etc. because of funding military-retiree veterans health care — which they really don't have to do.
According to the Air Force Sergeants' Association Newsletter: "Last year, (DOD) sought, but failed to get approval to double or triple the cost of Tricare Prime, establish a Tricare Standard annual enrollment fee, increase the annual Tricare deductibles, and increase the cost to beneficiaries for prescriptions. In other words, last year's primary target was military retirees, survivors and their family members who were not yet eligible for Medicare and, therefore, Tricare for Life." Fortunately, this was prohibited. The newsletter noted, "It's incredible that this nation's leaders do not feel that a full career of serving at mortal risk and unlimited liability should warrant a paid health care benefit."
Military retirees have been fighting for what was promised to us for years. Last year, we had several hundred representatives openly state in faxes and e-mail that they'd co-sponsor several bills. Yet these bills remained in House committees for the entire year. Not one representative was bold enough to get them on the floor for discussion and vote. Many promises have been made to the current military active-duty generation, and unless they get something in writing, they'll probably face the same kind of fights with Congress we have.
RS from Tampa Bay
Dear RS: According to the Military Retiree Grass Roots Group (mrgrg-ms.org/swindle00.html), there are 1.8 million military retirees and dependents who weren't expecting to pay for TRICARE benefits or Medicare.
Many WWII and Korean War service personnel were promised this: "A member or former member of a uniformed service who is entitled to retired or retainer pay, or equivalent pay shall, upon request, be given medical and dental care in any facility of any uniformed service."
In 1956, Congress changed Title 10, Subtitle A, Part II, Chapter 55, Section 1074 (b) of the U.S. Code in two ways. "Shall" became "may," and a critical caveat was added: "subject to the availability of space and facilities and the capabilities of the medical and dental staff."
MRGRG suggests these changes allowed the closure of 58 military medical facilities; 26 states have no major military hospital. Because facilities aren't available, the caveat means no treatment has to be provided.
Furthermore, MRGRG is concerned that promises of lifelong "superb" health care are still made despite the fine print "subject to the availability of space and facilities."
Send your questions/comments to María Félix-Ortiz, 4301 Broadway, Box 355, San Antonio, TX 78209 or e-mail mfelixortiz@gmail.com. This column runs Wednesdays.
ADVICE: Increased demand calls for upgraded veterans' health facilities (November 14, 2007)
María Félix-Ortiz, Ph.D San Antonio Express-News (TX)
S.A. Life Page 09G (557 Words)
I had the chance to speak to some veterans recently, and despite their different ages and politics, they did agree on one thing: the Department of Veterans Affairs health facilities need to be dramatically expanded. The problem isn't usually quality of care, though some will complain that this is an issue, too. Many in the medical community and veterans recognize the high quality of emergency care, and initial treatment that's available through the VA system.
Question
allan
fwd from: Colonel Dan
Send your questions/comments to María Félix-Ortiz, 4301 Broadway, Box 355, San Antonio, TX 78209 or e-mail mfelixortiz@gmail.com
San Antonio Express-News
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: James Ret [mailto:alamostation@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 10:46 AM
To: Dan Cedusky
Subject: MRGRG and Military Retiree Health Care Make the News
Several weeks ago I forwarded several articles concerning the military health care situation as published in the San Antonio Express news by Dr Maria Felix-Ortiz. I also requested that you drop her a line explaining more about the situation. Apparently enough of us did (usually one letter won't get much results) and she she has come up with another column on the subject. Although she didn't pick my letter, the one she did has some of the same wording. An indication that we may all be on the same sheet of music. Anyone who knows who RS of Tampa Bay is? Thanks to him for a great letter.
An e-mail to the good doctor would be appropriate.
If you need a reminder on the previous columns, they can be found at:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/salife/columni...storyindex.html
Jim
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Dr. María Félix-Ortiz: Retired veteran says promises regarding health care broken
Web Posted: 01/01/2008 12:03 PM CST
San Antonio Express-News
Dear Dr. Felix-Ortiz: I am a retired military veteran with a little over 35 years of active military service. I retired in 1981.
The distinction between a veteran and a military-retiree veteran is important because funding and responsibility for health care is different for each. Anyone who serves in the military fewer than 20 years is a veteran, and is supported by the Veterans Administration. Anyone who makes a career of the military and retires after 20 or more years of service is a military-retiree veteran, and is supported by the Department of Defense budget/funding. Several years ago, a law was passed that transferred funding for military retiree veterans to the Treasury Department. For some reason, this transfer never occurred. DOD continues to complain they cannot buy enough guns, bullets, etc. because of funding military-retiree veterans health care — which they really don't have to do.
According to the Air Force Sergeants' Association Newsletter: "Last year, (DOD) sought, but failed to get approval to double or triple the cost of Tricare Prime, establish a Tricare Standard annual enrollment fee, increase the annual Tricare deductibles, and increase the cost to beneficiaries for prescriptions. In other words, last year's primary target was military retirees, survivors and their family members who were not yet eligible for Medicare and, therefore, Tricare for Life." Fortunately, this was prohibited. The newsletter noted, "It's incredible that this nation's leaders do not feel that a full career of serving at mortal risk and unlimited liability should warrant a paid health care benefit."
Military retirees have been fighting for what was promised to us for years. Last year, we had several hundred representatives openly state in faxes and e-mail that they'd co-sponsor several bills. Yet these bills remained in House committees for the entire year. Not one representative was bold enough to get them on the floor for discussion and vote. Many promises have been made to the current military active-duty generation, and unless they get something in writing, they'll probably face the same kind of fights with Congress we have.
RS from Tampa Bay
Dear RS: According to the Military Retiree Grass Roots Group (mrgrg-ms.org/swindle00.html), there are 1.8 million military retirees and dependents who weren't expecting to pay for TRICARE benefits or Medicare.
Many WWII and Korean War service personnel were promised this: "A member or former member of a uniformed service who is entitled to retired or retainer pay, or equivalent pay shall, upon request, be given medical and dental care in any facility of any uniformed service."
In 1956, Congress changed Title 10, Subtitle A, Part II, Chapter 55, Section 1074 (b) of the U.S. Code in two ways. "Shall" became "may," and a critical caveat was added: "subject to the availability of space and facilities and the capabilities of the medical and dental staff."
MRGRG suggests these changes allowed the closure of 58 military medical facilities; 26 states have no major military hospital. Because facilities aren't available, the caveat means no treatment has to be provided.
Furthermore, MRGRG is concerned that promises of lifelong "superb" health care are still made despite the fine print "subject to the availability of space and facilities."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Send your questions/comments to María Félix-Ortiz, 4301 Broadway, Box 355, San Antonio, TX 78209 or e-mail mfelixortiz@gmail.com. This column runs Wednesdays.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Online at: http://www.mysanantonio.com/salife/columni...iz.105ee7c.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADVICE: Increased demand calls for upgraded veterans' health facilities (November 14, 2007)
María Félix-Ortiz, Ph.D San Antonio Express-News (TX)
S.A. Life Page 09G (557 Words)
I had the chance to speak to some veterans recently, and despite their different ages and politics, they did agree on one thing: the Department of Veterans Affairs health facilities need to be dramatically expanded. The problem isn't usually quality of care, though some will complain that this is an issue, too. Many in the medical community and veterans recognize the high quality of emergency care, and initial treatment that's available through the VA system.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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"Keep on, Keepin' on"
Dan Cedusky, Champaign IL "Colonel Dan"
See my web site at:
http://www.angelfire.com/il2/VeteranIssues/
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