A leading veterans group said on Monday its concerns that healthcare
reform would jeopardize the care of millions of veterans have been
partly alleviated.
But
one sticking point remains: ensuring that veterans who are
participating in the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system
would not be subject to a tax for uninsured or underinsured
individuals.
Until that issue is fixed “our concerns are not fully resolved,”
said Raymond Dempsey, the National Commander of the Disabled American
Veterans (DAV). DAV was among six high-profile veterans groups that
sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) last week expressing
“grave concerns” over the House healthcare reform bill and warning that
they would actively oppose it if several changes were not made.
Rep.
Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), the ranking member of the Veterans’ Affairs
Committee, successfully offered several amendments that took care of
most concerns: ensuring that veterans receiving VA healthcare could
also enroll for additional health insurance and that the VA secretary
would retain full authority to operate the VA healthcare system without
interference from any new organizations or agencies established by the
legislation.
Buyer also offered an amendment aimed at ensuring
that veterans in the VA healthcare system would not be subject to a tax
for uninsured or underinsured individuals. While the amendment was
withdrawn, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman
(D-Calif.) said that he would allow Buyer to offer the amendment when
the bill is considered on the House floor later this year.
Buyer’s
“amendments and bipartisan support from Chairman Waxman are big steps
in the right direction,” Dempsey said in a statement. “The DAV will
continue to do more analysis of this voluminous bill, not to mention
future versions, before we can have true assurance that veterans are
protected.
“But for now, we are pleased lawmakers are willing to make the fixes necessary to protect those who sacrificed to protect us.”
Jerry
-------------------------------------------------------------- Illegitimi Non Carborundum
US Navy 1960-1970
-./--.-/-.-./.
Honoring Cold War Veterans on NPR Weekend America 12-27-08
MISSION
The American Cold War Veterans is a nonpartisan 501c nonprofit veterans service organization
incorporated in the State of Florida and founded on August 18,
2007 at The Truman Library in Independence, MO. As a group we
are dedicated to all of our Brother and Sister Veterans, with
special dedication to those who served during the Cold War era
September 1945 to December 1991.
Our Mission is to bring respect, recognition and awareness to
Veterans of the Cold War era no matter what branch of service,
whether active duty, reserve or National Guard. We are
committed to honoring the sacrifices made by millions of
American men and women during the Cold War, especially those
who paid the ultimate price of life or liberty. We intend to
see that the Cold War's history is completely and accurately
understood by people everywhere. We are united in these goals
and speak with one voice.
NDAA 2002 - FACT
The NDAA 2002 was passed by congress October 2001 signed into Law Dec. 28 2001, In the NDAA that was approved by both houses, signed into law by the President, was the Sense of Congress to authorize the Campaign Medal for service in the Cold War.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002
115 STAT. 1118 PUBLIC LAW 107–107—DEC. 28, 2001
Code, that the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to that
individual is warranted and that a waiver of time restrictions
prescribed by law for recommendation for such award is recommended.
SEC. 556. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ISSUANCE OF CERTAIN MEDALS.
It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should
consider authorizing—
the issuance of a campaign medal, to be known as
the Korea Defense Service Medal, to each person who while
a member of the Armed Forces served in the Republic of Korea,
or the waters adjacent thereto, during the period beginning
on July 28, 1954, and ending on such date thereafter as the
Secretary considers appropriate;
the issuance of a campaign medal, to be known as
the Cold War Service Medal, to each person who while a
member of the Armed Forces served satisfactorily on active
duty during the Cold War; and
the award of the Vietnam Service Medal to any member
or former member of the Armed Forces who was awarded
the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for participation in
military operations designated as Operation Frequent Wind
arising from the evacuation of Vietnam on April 29 and 30,
1975.
The Medal was not created! Why?
Were Cold War veterans casualties of the Iraq War planning?
