As US struggles with deficits, veterans’ programs considered

[unhappycamper]

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/11/16/2894747/as-us-struggles-with-deficits.html

As US struggles with deficits, veterans’ programs considered
By TOM PHILPOTT
Contributing Writer
November 16, 2013

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Cap pay raises: From 2000 through 2010, Congress approved basic pay raises that averaged a half-percentage point above private sector wage growth. The military could save $25 billion from 2015 to 2023 by reversing course, capping raises yearly at 0.5 percent below civilian wage growth. CBO predicts only a “minor” effect on force retention.

~snip~

Raise Tricare fees: CBO floats two options to have military retirees pay more for health care. One is to have Tricare-for-Life users — retirees, spouses and survivors age 65 and older — pay the first $550 of costs not covered by Medicare and then 50 percent of the next $4,950. CBO says this would slow Tricare costs by $31 billion from 2015 to 2023 but also save Medicare dollars as older beneficiaries seek fewer health services.

~snip~

Narrow eligibility for VA compensation: The law requires VA to define “service-connected” ailments broadly so if symptoms occur in service the condition usually is compensable. Last year, CBO says, VA paid 520,000 veterans a total of $2.9 billion “for seven medical conditions that … are generally neither caused nor aggravated by military service.”

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Tighten VA “IU” benefits: VA will supplement regular disability compensation for veterans not rated 100 percent disabled if they are deemed “unable to engage in substantial work,” CBO explains. The “individual unemployability” benefit is paid today to 300,000 veterans, boosting monthly incomes by an average of $1,800.

[giftedgirl77]

1. Of all people to screw with...

Pull the bullshit contracts from Halliburton & KBR that would save enough money to compensate vets for a damn century it not more.

[newfie11]

2. Yeah we want your young men and women

For war fodder to keep the oligarchs in oil etc.
But sorry when your of no use due to age, Illness, or injury your on your own!

Well there's always the cute thing on a TV of soldiers surprising family when returning (whole & uninsured) from a god forsaken war.
So I guess it equals out!