That's just according to what you call a "veto"....I for one would consider cutting benefits by 30-40% a veto...would you not? At some time between the early 70's and 1980, someone is responsible for placing "limits" on Veterans benefits in a large way by slashing the benefits of the "Montgomery GI Bill". The only ones having the power and access to such "underhanded" and deceitful methodology would be none other than the "liberals" that controlled congress during that time period and now wish to make a public statement during a "campaign" election year in trying to garner some of those benefits back that "they" cut in the first instance.....due to having a "peacetime volunteer military". Go figure. Is it just me, am I the only veteran that grows weary of being a "political pawn" to broker power by manipulation of a system already laden with enough political "bureaucracy"? Was it not just 18 months ago that these very same "liberals" were making threats to withdraw "all" monetary support from a military in the field in a hostile environment.....publicly patting each other on the back for such use of our military in gaining political power? Just what has changed other than this being an election year? Does anyone really believe its their "HEARTS"? Enjoy your IRS "rebate".....I got mine today, I think that I will go invest in about a years supply of MRE's, just in case "the black Messiah" gains power. The Carter years are beginning to look better and better, as double digit inflation, fuel shortages, and double digit unemployment are just around the corner. BD

First and last appointment :rofl

Well, you will be surprised to find out that Bush eliminated Veterans Medical Benefits in 2003, unless you were wounded or disabled in the miltary or had a prior medical treatment history with the VA.

If this is your first appointment, you will not be eligible for treatment.

They will probably tell you are a category 8 priority. But they are not accepting any more Category 8 Veterans for treatment since 2003.

VA CATEGORIES 1 through 8

What are the Category Groups?

Once you apply for enrollment, your eligibility will be verified. Based on your specific eligibility status, you will be assigned a Category group.

The priority groups are as follows, ranging from 1-8 with 1 being the highest priority for enrollment. Under the Medical Benefits Package, the same services are generally available to all enrolled veterans.

As of Jan 17, 2003, VA is not accepting new Category Group 8 veterans for enrollment (veterans falling into Category Groups 8e and 8g.)

Category Group 1

Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 50% or more disabling

Category Group 2

Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 30% or 40% disabling

Category Group 3

Veterans who are former POWs

Veterans awarded the Purple Heart

Veterans whose discharge was for a disability that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty

Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 10% or 20% disabling

Veterans awarded special eligibility classification under Title 38, U.S.C., Section 1151, "benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation"

Category Group 4

Veterans who are receiving aid and attendance or housebound benefits

Veterans who have been determined by VA to be catastrophically disabled

Category Group 5

Non-service-connected veterans and non-compensable service-connected veterans rated 0% disabled whose annual income and net worth are below the established VA Means Test thresholds

Veterans receiving VA pension benefits

Veterans eligible for Medicaid benefits

Category Group 6

Compensable 0% service-connected veterans

World War I veterans

Mexican Border War veterans

Veterans solely seeking care for disorders associated with:


exposure to herbicides while serving in Vietnam; or

exposure to ionizing radiation during atmospheric testing or during the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; or

for disorders associated with service in the Gulf War; or

for any illness associated with service in combat in a war after the Gulf War or during a period of hostility after November 11, 1998.

Category Group 7

Veterans who agree to pay specified co-payments with income and/or net worth above the VA Means Test threshold and income below the HUD geographic index

Subpriority a: Noncompensable 0% service-connected veterans who were enrolled in the VA Health Care System on a specified date and who have remained enrolled since that date

Subpriority c: Nonservice-connected 5b4 veterans who were enrolled in the VA Health Care System on a specified date and who have remained enrolled since that date

Subpriority e: Noncompensable 0% service-connected veterans not included in Subpriority a above

Subpriority g: Nonservice-connected veterans not included in Subpriority c above

Category Group 8
Veterans who agree to pay specified co-payments with income and/or net worth above the VA Means Test threshold and the HUD geographic index

Subpriority a: Noncompensable 0% service-connected veterans enrolled as of Jan 16, 2003 and who have remained enrolled since that date

Subpriority c: Nonservice-connected veterans enrolled as of Jan 16, 2003 and who have remained enrolled since that date

Subpriority e: Noncompensable 0% service-connected veterans applying for enrollment after Jan 16, 2003

Subpriority g: Nonservice-connected veterans applying for enrollment after Jan 16, 2003

That is "not" true....if you do not have insurance and are below a certain income level, all the measures of any VA facility are at your disposal. And the guidelines are "very" fair, as you can be covered up to 50 K if you have a family. This stopped people that have "private" insurance and no service connected disability from allowing the "mean old private" insurance companies from sticking it to the taxpayer and having the Government pay for services that they(the private insurance carriers) are being paid to provide....once again. I thought that you liberals hated the Medical Professionals that take advantage of price fixing...what's up? Do you want it both ways? VA Form 10-10EZ is easy to fill out and apply for NSC benefits...if you are in need of this care simply go to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and prompt VA medical coverage. BD

Exactly Tile...Under a Democratic Congress, we're talking about a Major Porker in the Additions.

__________________
A Liberal is a Man too broadminded to take his own side in a quarrel (Robert Frost 1874-1963).

I will let you know on Wedesday if you are a lying sack of shit or if you now what you are talking about.

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Its better to have fussed and crabbed then never to have fussed at all - Lucy

Nathan, let me see if I understand you correctly. I know from previous posts that you are against the social welfare of any kind, correct? And earlier in this thread, you pretty much summed up that you don't think that veteran's should receive benefits, correct? Do you concider vet benefits as part of social welfare? And you are against any form of socialized medicine, correct? Yet, because of the crunch of how high pharmaceuticals are getting, you are willing to now drink from the social benefits fountain, correct?

QUOTE=toxic;424133]First and last appointment :rofl

Well, you will be surprised to find out that Bush eliminated Veterans Medical Benefits in 2003, unless you were wounded or disabled in the miltary or had a prior medical treatment history with the VA.

If this is your first appointment, you will not be eligible for treatment.

They will probably tell you are a category 8 priority. But they are not accepting any more Category 8 Veterans for treatment since 2003.[/quote]

Well folks, I had my first appointment with the VA yesterday and while Toxic may not be a lying sack of shit he is certainly misinformed. I must say it was a very satisfying experience. Everyone was far more respectful and curteous than in the offices of my private doctor. I actually spent over an hour with the doctor himself (more than I have spent with my private doctor in total over the last two years. I was given (at no charge - free) a blood pressure monitor, I was set up to receive my medications for a charge of $8.00 per perscription (vs the $50.00 co pay with my insurance) and I was rescheduled for a follow up visit in two weeks.

So, Toxic, I don't know where you got your information but you are a lying sack of !!

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Its better to have fussed and crabbed then never to have fussed at all - Lucy

I know this sounds like hypocrisy and perhaps it is. I suppose it can be justified by the fact that I am paying income taxes and receiving little in return.

I can also say that I personally would never have gone to the VA except for the insistance of my wife.

And finally, I don't think the government owes it vets a lifetime of benefits but if they are there, well........

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Its better to have fussed and crabbed then never to have fussed at all - Lucy

I don't think that your a hypocrite Nathan. You've earned those benefits and have every right to use them, but perhaps now you can have a little understanding of those that can't afford medical care and that it is getting more unaffordable by the day.