Military Healthcare Fee Increases
Welcome Home Troops
USMC Okinawa 1980
..."What medical plan in the nation has not had a single increase in the premium or co-pays in the last dozen years?"
What other plan has been earned by people who volunteer to go to far away places and maybe never come back again?
Notice Secretary Gates does not demand that congress properly fund the "All Volunteer" military that continues to fight 2 wars overseas- his solution is to have the guys that already did their time pay out of pocket to save the government some money here.
Semper Fi Secretary Gates!
Thanks for supporting "The Troops"
Jim Webb took a stand back in the 80's and resigned as Secretary of the Navy because he refused to agree to reduce the size of the Navy.
We don't see much of that any more. High level government officials get paid the same wether they take a stand or not. Maybe they are nominated because it is likely they will just go along with whatever comes their way.
There is federal money to move around to provide for bailouts, clean up after white collar crime, remind everyone to line up to get a converter box to keep old TVs running, etc.
Maintaining a definite healthcare package for those who signed on to go to far away places and maybe never come back again may not be such a priority.
Why worry about increased fees for military healthcare clients?
This will all become a non-issue when the government gets around to giving free healthcare to everyone.
The guy who works at McDonald’s- or even quits at McDonald’s- might be covered just like the guy who ships out to Afghanistan.
Military Healthcare Benefits-
Some would say “Free” healthcare.
Not free- (there is already an enrollment fee- in order to make appointments- plus co-pays and prescription fees)- but earned as part of a deferred compensation/incentive package offered to qualified individuals who were willing to serve or continue to serve in the US Armed Forces.
Offered partly because of the supply and demand problem that has existed for decades- most Americans have no interest in taking on the wear and tear that comes with serving in the Armed Forces, fewer still are interested in investing a spare 20 years in making a career of the military.
We hear many good things about the generation who fought WWII. People lied about their age to serve. There was a draft. Women went in, along with movie stars, entertainers and sports celebrities- the whole country understood and was involved in the war effort. School kids participated. Most people probably had a family member who served or at least knew people who did.
Today, most people do not serve and we are most comfortable with an “All Volunteer” military- until it comes time to pay on promised benefits.
“Support the Troops” is a common slogan and big political parties push and shove to stake out their own reputation for “Supporting the Troops”.
It’s all good for the average American as long as slapping a Communist Chinese Yellow Ribbon magnet on the car means the dues are paid up.
Our “Something for Nothing” culture does not pause to consider a minority of citizens who have gone the extra mile to take risks and- in return- earn benefits.
The military package never was meant to be comparable with civilian benefits.
Name another job that you can not quit that requires random, unannounced drug testing.
The demands of the job are not comparable- but- all freely accepted with the understanding that some will be sent to far away places and never come back again- and- that it all counts towards earning a definite benefit package- and not the easy way.
People made decisions and sacrifices in order to serve or continue to serve based on an understanding of the benefits they were fighting for.
Message to parents, young adults, recruiters, educators, veteran’s groups, church groups, flag lapel pin wearers, politicians, football teams with flag stickers on helmets, 911 marketers, and “support the troops” promoters- Teach your children- “bait and switch” tactics are in effect. Know this before considering serving in the Armed Forces.
