Comments for President Says VA healthcare won't be affected by his new plan...

President Says VA healthcare won't be affected by his new plan...

2009-08-04T19:11:11Z

At least, that's what he told the Commander of my American Legion, David Rehbein:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VA healthcare will not be endangered by national system, says President Obama

Promise made during private meeting with National Commander of The American Legion

WASHINGTON (Aug. 4, 2009) – President Barack Obama, meeting privately with the leader of nation’s largest veterans service organization this morning, pledged to keep the medical care system administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs essentially as is – quelling fears that VA healthcare would be absorbed into a national health care system.

“(I) got his very strong assurance the VA as our veterans know it will continue to exist,” said National Commander David K. Rehbein. “It will not be diluted or folded into some sort of national system and that the folks who go to the VA…that will be considered their insurance, so any insurance requirements (will be met) simply by being enrolled in the VA.”

Another topic discussed during the one-on-one meeting in the Oval Office was Medicare reimbursement to the VA; a proposal long championed by The American Legion. This proposed practice would require Medicare to pay for care provided at Department VA medical facilities to Medicare beneficiaries – that is, eligible veterans over the age of 65 with non-service related injuries, illnesses and conditions. Currently, Medicare is precluded by statute from doing this.

“Medicare reimbursement to VA would be a boon to veterans in that it would encourage them to take advantage of what we consider the best care anywhere,” said the Commander. It would also generate much-needed revenue for the VA.” Prompted by Legion leadership, such a proposal is being advanced in Congress by U.S. Representative Bob Filner (D-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

President Obama and Commander Rehbein also discussed the positive effects that the enhanced educational benefits contained within the newly enacted and American Legion-pioneered Post 9/11 GI Bill will have on the veterans community and the nation as a whole.

The vexing problem of a dramatically growing backlog of VA benefits claims was also considered by the two. Rehbein said he feels the President “fully appreciates” its gravity and will do what he can to aid in its solution.

Commander Rehbein, obviously pleased with the meeting’s outcome, characterized the 25-minute White House chat as “very friendly…conversational in style” in which “issues were discussed rather than positions being presented.”

With a current membership of 2.5 million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and the mentoring of youth. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

Media contacts: Craig Roberts, (202) 263-2982, Cell (202) 406-088 or Joe March, (317) 630-1253; Cell (317) 748-1926. A high resolution photo of Nat. Cmdr. Rehbein is available at www.legion.org.

I've also heard that TRICARE will not be affected. And, we know Congress won't be affected. The rest of you however...

That said - on this topic, as others of its nature, a politcian's word is as strong as septic-friendly toilet paper, and far less useful.

Actions. And written words, printed in the bill, available for all to see *before* it's voted on. With accompanying analysis of the threads and 3rd order effects. Then I'll begin to believe.

Right now, I believe that no one knows the truth, but that a lot of people are lying.

Comment from Ric on 2009-08-05

2009-08-05T10:44:31Z

I agree with Cdr Rehbein in his, and that of The American Legion and other VSOs, approach of "wait & see" with the President. I do not trust the President on any issue that he may delve into. He is a slick talker who could swindle Bill Clinton into buying a used car from him. The money launderer should make both of them the heads of the auto industry, and all would be sold in two minutes. Stay the course is my suggestion to the VSOs.

Comment from John (not the armorer) on 2009-08-04

2009-08-05T04:24:18Z

I have no doubt that President Obama said what the Legion commander reported, and that the Legion commander believed him.

Millions of voters had that same experience last fall.

Millions more have listened to him ban lobbyists from his administration, promise to sign no bill with earmarks, and to cut the budget, and to rerquire all bills to be posted on line for review before they are voted on. He lied to us every time, with a straight face.

President Obama is a liar. An exceptionally good one, even better than Bill Clinton. He is likely a narcissist as well.

No one can trust or believe Obama about anything. Ever.

Once his destruction of the American health care system begins, no segment will be safe, and all will be degraded in increments to attempt to cover the disasters taking place in other segments as his policies are implemented.

And he does not give a rat's rear end about themilitary, unless he is pimping for votes.

Worst President in our history already, with three plus years to go.

Comment from AW1 Tim on 2009-08-04

2009-08-05T03:22:25Z

Mr. Jewell,

I have no problem with a Legion Post running a bar. My problem is that everything in the local post revolves around it. There are some good folks there, but not enough to put things in the proper order.

respects,

Comment from fdcol63 on 2009-08-04

2009-08-05T01:51:12Z

I don't trust Obama or the Dem leadership at all.

Comment from R Jewell on 2009-08-04

2009-08-05T01:30:53Z

Nice photo with the President, Commander Rehbein, and Peter Gaitan.

Assuming that actually was Commander Dave who posted above, I'll toss in a smile and a wave. I believe our wives had dinner together tonight in Colorado Springs? Say hey to them when you get there later in the week.

The bar is not the American Legion, but we continually run into good Veterans who have their panties in a wad because somebody wizzed in their Wheaties in one of the bars, and because they can't see past the bar, we loose them.

That's a shame, but we deal with it every day. The DAV doesn't have that problem.

Rehbein's word is good enough for me.

Comment from Grumpy on 2009-08-04

2009-08-04T23:47:28Z

CDR. Redbein, I'm with Tim on this one, I'm a Life-Member of the DAV. It isn't because I haven't been asked, but I just don't go into crowded places. I have a long history of Grand Mal seizures. I can go into a place and a woman with perfume or a man with cologne can trigger a seizure. I tend to use the internet for everything, reduces the risk. *THANK YOU*, for your service to all the VETS!

As Always,
Grumpy,

Comment from AW1 Tim on 2009-08-04

2009-08-04T21:56:06Z

Cdr Rehbein,

    I am a life member of the DAV. I've been asked on numerous occasions to join my local Legion Post. I have refused to do so until they clean up their act regarding their bar. But that aside, I truly appreciate the Legion's effort on behalf of all our veterans on this, and many other issues.

   Having said that, I simply cannot trust this president to keep his word on this, or any issue. He has demonstrated time and again that every single position of his, every promise, every affirmation, comes with an expiration date, and that oftimes is sooner, rather than later. He is absolutely untrustworthy, And any citizen, especially any veteran who places his trust in this man will likely be played for a fool.

   I depend upon the VA fo5r all of my health care. I have no other option(s). I trusted my government to uphold their part of the contratc, while I steadfastly upheld mine. Since this new president has been placed into office, I no longer trust anything from any member of my government, and that is, indeed, a sad state of affairs.

Again, Commander, thank you for what you have done, what you continue to do, and for your service to our nation. It is a shame that you have had to visit the White House under these conditions, but it is indicative of the times we live in, and a portent of the terrible time likely to come for us all.

   respects,

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-08-04

2009-08-04T21:09:50Z

Thanks for dropping in Mr. Rehbein - but I've known many a charismatic politician who was either unable or unwilling to deliver, but would tell you whatever you wished to hear.

I appreciate your efforts and those of the Legion - hence why I'm a paid-up-for-life member - and know that others take credit for the hard work the Legion put in down in the trenches. But I've got a multi-generational view as the grandson of a Great War veteran, son of a retired soldier, and a retired soldier with a 70% rating myself who knows the history of the VA, watched his father's fight with the VA, and watched the decades-long fight over concurrent receipt, Agent Orange, Gulf War Syndrome, and the more recent fights over TBI and PTSD and have made a mark myself striving with (not always against) the VA and DA to improve their administration and service, this President, like all Presidents of either party, will need to walk the walk before I'll credit the talk.

You keep him honest, sir. Otherwise, he'll just be another version of Rieckhoff and Campbell. T'was ever thus, in a sense. It's hard to tell us to our face "No," but when the budget markups come in...

And get 'em working on getting to the young folk. I'm also a Rotarian, and one thing the local posts in my area (Leavenworth, KS) don't seem to get is, "Every year, your club/Post is a year older." We've got to get the Posts to let their communities know they're there - the time of the Quiet Doer of Deeds is past. People have got to not only see results, but know where they came from. And that doesn't have to be tacky (though I know it feels that way at times).

If we don't... well, in the not too distant future the Legion, and the VFW, will join the pale shades of the Grand Army of the Republic.

And that would be a shame, to be nothing more than emblems on a monument, and bronze disks on graves.

Keep his feet to the fire, sir. I'll do it at my end.

Comment from Dave Rehbein on 2009-08-04

2009-08-04T21:02:17Z

Based on his record of supporting the new GI Bill, his request for a $5 billion budget increase for VA health care and the look in his eye as we talked about this issue and about our current and former troops, yes, I am reassured. Believe me when I say that The American Legion will do everything In our power to make sure the right thing happens and our comrades receive the benefits they have earned.

Comment from BillT on 2009-08-04

2009-08-04T19:32:37Z

“(I) got his very strong assurance the VA as our veterans know it will continue to exist,” said National Commander David K. Rehbein.

And that's supposed to be reassuring?