This is how we treat our Veterans???

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Danny...I would get a VA attorney. I put the VA up there with Insurance companies....anytime they can decrease someone's benefits....they are "saving" money....and hoping that you don't fight....and go away.
 
I hate stories like this. In a world where we treat the ones that gave us our freedoms by their lives and sacrifices we see them shut out while lazy self entitled wastes of human matter live good REALLY PISSES ME OFF!

I had a next door neighbor for a year or two that is an attorney who handles nothing but cases like this. He told me that Unfortunately the VA wastes so much time protecting their ignorant decisions that by the time the court decides they are wrong the patient has passed. This system is broken and not repairable. ARRGH!!!
I think that if welfare people with entitlement issues were to have to serve their country to be able to qualify there would be a lot less milking of the government ***..Like the waste of DNA in the video below.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym5N4ltSlTk
 
Number 1...it was already said...expendable...you serve no useful purpose...so no more MONEY will be used...:confused2:

Number 2...welfare and handouts bring in more votes and less rocking of the boat for politicians...:punk:

Number 3...what have you done for me today...? Refer to Number 1 again...:bang head:

God Bless America...:worthy:
 
I am a VN vet. I went to the VA for years but recently went on Medicare as soon as I could afford to. The doctor I was seeing hated the situation. They are allowed 10 minutes per patient. They are not paid for any more so if they spend more time, it is on their own time. He said the problem with the VA is it is run by bureaucrats and not medical professionals. They are only concerned with the budget and their bonuses, not the welfare of the vets. The doctor turnover is tremendous. They are overworked and underpaid. They were not allowed to write prescriptions for outside purchase. You had to get all prescriptions through the VA. It cost about double for generic drugs than Wal-Mart or the grocery chains charge. They do have a limit so expensive drugs are cheaper. All my prescriptions I could get at WM for $4 a month were at least $8. Someone is pocketing some serious money on this deal.
 
I would suggest you call some of the local TV staions and ask if they have a consumer protection dept. head or an investigation team that looks into abuses such as this. I would also call some local radio stations and ask the same thing about their their news teams. Local politicians , representatives or congressional members too . You never know. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets some oil.
 
Good news!! For reasons unexplained the VA has decided to leave Heidi's Dad's disability % as it was. Heidi got a call today from one of her Dad's Dr's congratulating her on her efforts....."it's nearly impossible to get these things turned around, I don't know how you did it but congratulations" was what he said to her. It's a huge relief to the family as we don't have to come up with a plan B now.

Heidi did an excellent job on this and I believe the suggestion of a tie in between PTSD & strokes is what tipped the scales.

Thank you everybody for the support.....it's been said many times and it's true.....you guys are the best!! :worthy:
 
I am a VN vet. I went to the VA for years but recently went on Medicare as soon as I could afford to. The doctor I was seeing hated the situation. They are allowed 10 minutes per patient. They are not paid for any more so if they spend more time, it is on their own time. He said the problem with the VA is it is run by bureaucrats and not medical professionals. They are only concerned with the budget and their bonuses, not the welfare of the vets. The doctor turnover is tremendous. They are overworked and underpaid. They were not allowed to write prescriptions for outside purchase. You had to get all prescriptions through the VA. It cost about double for generic drugs than Wal-Mart or the grocery chains charge. They do have a limit so expensive drugs are cheaper. All my prescriptions I could get at WM for $4 a month were at least $8. Someone is pocketing some serious money on this deal.

WTF!!!:bang head:
 
Yea but if you ask Obama about it he'll promise you that his administration is working on improvements to the VA so that more vets can be better served.

But note that in the Koran it says that it's OK to lie to people if Allah is well served by the lie.


The idea that Obama is working for interests outside of the U.S. and is somehow responsible for government spending bills that can only originate in the House of Repersentatives is crazy. This is what Obama is actually doing for Vets. http://www.politicususa.com/2015/04...ng-veto-gop-bill-cut-benefits-70000-vets.html
David Tavares
 
The part that Dave didnt mention is that it is an increase in funding from the 2015 budget.....just not as much as Obama wanted.

BILL SUMMARY

H.R. 2029 provides $171 billion in budget authority for the Fiscal Year 2016 programs and activities funded in the bill. The fiscal year 2016 recommendation is an increase of $5.0 billion above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $2.2 billion below the President’s request. Included in this amount is $94.5 billion in mandatory budget authority and $76.6 billion in discretionary budget authority.[2]

H.R. 2029 provides $76.6 billion in discretionary funding—$4.6 billion above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $2.2 billion below the President’s budget request. This represents a 5.6 percent increase over the Fiscal Year 2015 level for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Of this funding $58.7 billion was provided in advance in the fiscal year 2015 appropriations bill. Military construction is increased by $904 million over the fiscal year 2015 enacted level, which allows for full funding of family housing, construction of hospitals and health facilities, and support for critical overseas investments.[3]

The major provisions of the bill are as follows:

Title I—Department of Defense (military construction)

The bill provides a total of $7.7 billion for military construction projects—an increase of $904 million above the enacted Fiscal Year 2015 level and $755 million below the President’s request. This includes funds for large and small construction and renovation projects on military bases within the U.S. and around the globe. Of the amount provided for Military Construction projects, $532 million is provided for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO).[4]

Military Family Housing: The bill provides $1.4 billion to fund construction and operation and maintenance of military family housing for fiscal year 2016. This is $223 million above the Fiscal Year 2015 level and the same as the budget request. The funding will ensure quality housing is sustained for all 1.3 million military families currently served by the program.

Military Medical Facilities: The bill includes $607 million for construction and alterations for new or existing military medical facilities, an increase of $121 million above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. This funding will allow for continued support and care for 9.8 million eligible beneficiaries, including our wounded troops abroad.

Department of Defense (DOD) Education Facilities: The bill includes $334 million for essential safety improvements and infrastructure work at 10 DOD Education Activities facilities located within the U.S. and overseas.

Guard and Reserve: The bill includes $512 million for construction or alteration of Guard and Reserve facilities in 28 States, an increase of $85 million above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level.

NATO Security Investment Program (NSIP): The bill provides $150 million—$30 million over the President’s request and $49.7 million below fiscal year 2015—for infrastructure necessary for wartime, crisis, and peace support and deterrence operations, and training requirements. The funds will support responses to the challenges posed by Russia and to the risks and threats emanating from the Middle East and North Africa.

Military construction accounts provide funds for new construction, construction improvements, planning and design, and host nation support. Projects funded by these accounts include facilities for operations, training, maintenance, research and development, supply, medical care, and force protection, as well as unaccompanied housing, utilities infrastructure, and land acquisition.[5]

Title II—Department of Veterans Affairs

The bill includes a total of $163.2 billion in both discretionary and mandatory funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, an increase of $4.1 billion above the fiscal year 2015 level. Of the total, $94.5 billion is provided for mandatory benefit programs and $68.7 billion is allocated to discretionary programs such as medical care, claims processing, and construction. Approximately $58.7 billion of this discretionary total was provided last year via advance funding in the Fiscal Year 2015 Appropriations bill. In this bill, discretionary funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs is recommended at 5.6 percent over the Fiscal Year 2015 level.[6]

VA Medical Services: The bill funds VA medical services at $48.6 billion – providing for approximately 6.9 million patients to be treated in Fiscal Year 2016. Within this total, funding includes: $7.5 billion in mental health care services; $144 million in suicide prevention activities; $232 million for traumatic brain injury treatment; $6.7 billion in homeless veterans treatment, services, housing, and job training; and $250 million in rural health initiatives.

VA Electronic Health Record: The bill contains $233 million for the modernization of the Veterans Affairs electronic health record system. To help ensure our veterans get proper care through the timely and accurate exchange of medical data between VA, DOD, and the private sector, the bill includes language restricting funding until the VA demonstrates progress on the system’s functionality and interoperability.

Disability Claims Processing Backlog: The bill provides $290 million for the paperless claims processing system, $141 million for digital scanning of health records, and $26 million for centralized mail. In addition, the bill continues rigorous reporting requirements to track each regional office’s performance on claims processing. The bill also includes funding to support 770 new staff to tackle claims appeals and other needs resulting from the progress in reducing the claims backlog.

Construction: Major and minor construction within the VA is funded at approximately $968 million. The bill provides funding for hospital replacement and allows the VA to continue to correct seismic safety issues and deficiencies. In response to egregious project mismanagement and cost overruns, the Committee has held major construction to the Fiscal Year 2015 funding level, and taken the oversight actions listed below.

Oversight: The legislation includes provisions to increase oversight of taxpayer dollars at the VA, including limiting transfers between construction projects, reporting on bid savings, limiting changes in the scope of construction projects, and restricting the agency from taking certain spending actions without notifying Congress.

VA Mandatory Funding: The bill fulfills mandatory funding requirements such as: veteran disability compensation programs for 4.7 million veterans and their survivors; education benefits for nearly 1.2 million veterans; and vocational rehabilitation and employment training for more than 137,000 veterans.

Advance Appropriations: The bill contains $63.3 billion in advance Fiscal Year 2017 funding for veterans’ medical programs—the same level as the President’s request. This funding will provide for medical services, medical support and compliance, and medical facilities, and ensure that our veterans have continued, full access to their medical care needs. For the first time, the bill includes $104 billion in advance funding for VA mandatory benefit programs, as requested in the President’s budget.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) serves approximately 48.3 million people or 15 percent of the total estimated resident population of the U.S. and Puerto Rico: 22 million veterans and 26.3 million family members of living veterans or survivors of deceased veterans. The VA employs 342,000 people, making it one of the largest Federal agencies in terms of employment.[6]



Title III—Related Agencies

The bill includes $244.3 million for Related Agencies funded in the bill. Agencies funded under this title include the American Battle Monuments Commission, the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and Civil Cemeterial Expenses, which includes Arlington National Cemetery and the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery.[8]

Arlington National Cemetery: The bill includes $71 million for the Arlington National Cemetery, an increase of $5 million from the Fiscal Year 2015 enacted level. In addition, the bill provides $30 million within military construction for Defense Access Roads to improve traffic flow and access to Fort Myer, and to increase the amount of land available for burials and interments.

American Battle Monuments Commission: The bill includes $75.1 million for the American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC), an increase of $1 million from the Fiscal Year 2015 enacted level. The AMBC is responsible for the administration, operation and maintenance of cemetery and war memorials to commemorate the achievements and sacrifices of the American Armed Forces where they have served since April 6, 1917. In performing these functions, the Commission maintains 25 permanent American military cemetery memorials and 26 monuments, memorials, and markers.

Title IV—Overseas Contingency Operations

The bill provides $532 million for projects in support of Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO)/Global War on Terrorism.

Title V—General Provisions

The bill includes the following general provisions:[9]

Section 501 prohibiting the obligation of funds beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly so provided.

Section 502 prohibiting the use of funds for programs, projects or activities not in compliance with Federal law relating to risk assessment, the protection of private property rights, or unfunded mandates.

Section 503 encouraging all departments and agencies funded in this Act to expand the use of ‘‘E-Commerce’’ technologies and procedures.

Section 504 specifying the Congressional committees that are to receive all reports and notifications.

Section 505 prohibiting the transfer of funds to any instrumentality of the United States Government without authority from an appropriations Act.

Section 506 prohibiting any funds in this Act to be used for a project or program named for an individual serving as a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner of the United States House of Representatives.

Section 507 requiring all reports submitted to the Congress to be posted on official websites of the submitting agency.

Section 508 prohibiting the use of funds to establish or maintain a computer network unless such network blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of ****ography, except for law enforcement investigation, prosecution or adjudication activities.

Section 509 prohibiting the use of funds for payment of first-class travel by an employee of the executive branch.

Section 510 prohibiting the use of funds in this Act for any contract where the contractor has not complied with E-Verify requirements.

Section 511 prohibiting the use of funds in this Act by the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purchase or lease of a new vehicle except in accordance with Presidential Memorandum—Federal Fleet Performance, dated May 24, 2011.

Section 512 prohibiting the use of funds in this Act for the renovation, expansion, or construction of any facility in the continental United States for the purpose of housing any individual who has been detained at the United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Section 513 establishing a ‘‘Spending Reduction Account’’ in the bill.

_______________
[2] House Report 114-92 at 2.
[3] See Committee on Appropriations press release: “Appropriations Committee Releases Fiscal Year 2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Legislation,” April 14, 2015.
[4] Id.
[5] House Report 114-92 at 16.
[6] Id. at 3.
[7] House Report 114-92 at 31.
[8] Id at 69 to 72.
[9] Id. at 73 and 74.
 
The part that Dave didnt mention is that it is an increase in funding from the 2015 budget.....just not as much as Obama wanted.

BILL SUMMARY

H.R. 2029 provides $171 billion in budget authority for the Fiscal Year 2016 programs and activities funded in the bill. The fiscal year 2016 recommendation is an increase of $5.0 billion above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $2.2 billion below the President’s request. Included in this amount is $94.5 billion in mandatory budget authority and $76.6 billion in discretionary budget authority.[2]

H.R. 2029 provides $76.6 billion in discretionary funding—$4.6 billion above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $2.2 billion below the President’s budget request. This represents a 5.6 percent increase over the Fiscal Year 2015 level for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Of this funding $58.7 billion was provided in advance in the fiscal year 2015 appropriations bill. Military construction is increased by $904 million over the fiscal year 2015 enacted level, which allows for full funding of family housing, construction of hospitals and health facilities, and support for critical overseas investments.[3]

The major provisions of the bill are as follows:

Title I—Department of Defense (military construction)

The bill provides a total of $7.7 billion for military construction projects—an increase of $904 million above the enacted Fiscal Year 2015 level and $755 million below the President’s request. This includes funds for large and small construction and renovation projects on military bases within the U.S. and around the globe. Of the amount provided for Military Construction projects, $532 million is provided for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO).[4]

Military Family Housing: The bill provides $1.4 billion to fund construction and operation and maintenance of military family housing for fiscal year 2016. This is $223 million above the Fiscal Year 2015 level and the same as the budget request. The funding will ensure quality housing is sustained for all 1.3 million military families currently served by the program.

Military Medical Facilities: The bill includes $607 million for construction and alterations for new or existing military medical facilities, an increase of $121 million above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. This funding will allow for continued support and care for 9.8 million eligible beneficiaries, including our wounded troops abroad.

Department of Defense (DOD) Education Facilities: The bill includes $334 million for essential safety improvements and infrastructure work at 10 DOD Education Activities facilities located within the U.S. and overseas.

Guard and Reserve: The bill includes $512 million for construction or alteration of Guard and Reserve facilities in 28 States, an increase of $85 million above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level.

NATO Security Investment Program (NSIP): The bill provides $150 million—$30 million over the President’s request and $49.7 million below fiscal year 2015—for infrastructure necessary for wartime, crisis, and peace support and deterrence operations, and training requirements. The funds will support responses to the challenges posed by Russia and to the risks and threats emanating from the Middle East and North Africa.

Military construction accounts provide funds for new construction, construction improvements, planning and design, and host nation support. Projects funded by these accounts include facilities for operations, training, maintenance, research and development, supply, medical care, and force protection, as well as unaccompanied housing, utilities infrastructure, and land acquisition.[5]

Title II—Department of Veterans Affairs

The bill includes a total of $163.2 billion in both discretionary and mandatory funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs, an increase of $4.1 billion above the fiscal year 2015 level. Of the total, $94.5 billion is provided for mandatory benefit programs and $68.7 billion is allocated to discretionary programs such as medical care, claims processing, and construction. Approximately $58.7 billion of this discretionary total was provided last year via advance funding in the Fiscal Year 2015 Appropriations bill. In this bill, discretionary funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs is recommended at 5.6 percent over the Fiscal Year 2015 level.[6]

VA Medical Services: The bill funds VA medical services at $48.6 billion – providing for approximately 6.9 million patients to be treated in Fiscal Year 2016. Within this total, funding includes: $7.5 billion in mental health care services; $144 million in suicide prevention activities; $232 million for traumatic brain injury treatment; $6.7 billion in homeless veterans treatment, services, housing, and job training; and $250 million in rural health initiatives.

VA Electronic Health Record: The bill contains $233 million for the modernization of the Veterans Affairs electronic health record system. To help ensure our veterans get proper care through the timely and accurate exchange of medical data between VA, DOD, and the private sector, the bill includes language restricting funding until the VA demonstrates progress on the system’s functionality and interoperability.

Disability Claims Processing Backlog: The bill provides $290 million for the paperless claims processing system, $141 million for digital scanning of health records, and $26 million for centralized mail. In addition, the bill continues rigorous reporting requirements to track each regional office’s performance on claims processing. The bill also includes funding to support 770 new staff to tackle claims appeals and other needs resulting from the progress in reducing the claims backlog.

Construction: Major and minor construction within the VA is funded at approximately $968 million. The bill provides funding for hospital replacement and allows the VA to continue to correct seismic safety issues and deficiencies. In response to egregious project mismanagement and cost overruns, the Committee has held major construction to the Fiscal Year 2015 funding level, and taken the oversight actions listed below.

Oversight: The legislation includes provisions to increase oversight of taxpayer dollars at the VA, including limiting transfers between construction projects, reporting on bid savings, limiting changes in the scope of construction projects, and restricting the agency from taking certain spending actions without notifying Congress.

VA Mandatory Funding: The bill fulfills mandatory funding requirements such as: veteran disability compensation programs for 4.7 million veterans and their survivors; education benefits for nearly 1.2 million veterans; and vocational rehabilitation and employment training for more than 137,000 veterans.

Advance Appropriations: The bill contains $63.3 billion in advance Fiscal Year 2017 funding for veterans’ medical programs—the same level as the President’s request. This funding will provide for medical services, medical support and compliance, and medical facilities, and ensure that our veterans have continued, full access to their medical care needs. For the first time, the bill includes $104 billion in advance funding for VA mandatory benefit programs, as requested in the President’s budget.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) serves approximately 48.3 million people or 15 percent of the total estimated resident population of the U.S. and Puerto Rico: 22 million veterans and 26.3 million family members of living veterans or survivors of deceased veterans. The VA employs 342,000 people, making it one of the largest Federal agencies in terms of employment.[6]



Title III—Related Agencies

The bill includes $244.3 million for Related Agencies funded in the bill. Agencies funded under this title include the American Battle Monuments Commission, the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and Civil Cemeterial Expenses, which includes Arlington National Cemetery and the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery.[8]

Arlington National Cemetery: The bill includes $71 million for the Arlington National Cemetery, an increase of $5 million from the Fiscal Year 2015 enacted level. In addition, the bill provides $30 million within military construction for Defense Access Roads to improve traffic flow and access to Fort Myer, and to increase the amount of land available for burials and interments.

American Battle Monuments Commission: The bill includes $75.1 million for the American Battle Monuments Commission (AMBC), an increase of $1 million from the Fiscal Year 2015 enacted level. The AMBC is responsible for the administration, operation and maintenance of cemetery and war memorials to commemorate the achievements and sacrifices of the American Armed Forces where they have served since April 6, 1917. In performing these functions, the Commission maintains 25 permanent American military cemetery memorials and 26 monuments, memorials, and markers.

Title IV—Overseas Contingency Operations

The bill provides $532 million for projects in support of Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO)/Global War on Terrorism.

Title V—General Provisions

The bill includes the following general provisions:[9]

Section 501 prohibiting the obligation of funds beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly so provided.

Section 502 prohibiting the use of funds for programs, projects or activities not in compliance with Federal law relating to risk assessment, the protection of private property rights, or unfunded mandates.

Section 503 encouraging all departments and agencies funded in this Act to expand the use of ‘‘E-Commerce’’ technologies and procedures.

Section 504 specifying the Congressional committees that are to receive all reports and notifications.

Section 505 prohibiting the transfer of funds to any instrumentality of the United States Government without authority from an appropriations Act.

Section 506 prohibiting any funds in this Act to be used for a project or program named for an individual serving as a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner of the United States House of Representatives.

Section 507 requiring all reports submitted to the Congress to be posted on official websites of the submitting agency.

Section 508 prohibiting the use of funds to establish or maintain a computer network unless such network blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of ****ography, except for law enforcement investigation, prosecution or adjudication activities.

Section 509 prohibiting the use of funds for payment of first-class travel by an employee of the executive branch.

Section 510 prohibiting the use of funds in this Act for any contract where the contractor has not complied with E-Verify requirements.

Section 511 prohibiting the use of funds in this Act by the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purchase or lease of a new vehicle except in accordance with Presidential Memorandum—Federal Fleet Performance, dated May 24, 2011.

Section 512 prohibiting the use of funds in this Act for the renovation, expansion, or construction of any facility in the continental United States for the purpose of housing any individual who has been detained at the United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Section 513 establishing a ‘‘Spending Reduction Account’’ in the bill.

_______________
[2] House Report 114-92 at 2.
[3] See Committee on Appropriations press release: “Appropriations Committee Releases Fiscal Year 2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Legislation,” April 14, 2015.
[4] Id.
[5] House Report 114-92 at 16.
[6] Id. at 3.
[7] House Report 114-92 at 31.
[8] Id at 69 to 72.
[9] Id. at 73 and 74.


As I said the Republican congress wouldn't spend the money .
 
Also.....the thing that probably hasn't crossed your mind Dave....kinda like running your household....there is only so much money that you have....and only so much that you can spend. Being over 18 trillion in debt is no way to run a house. Remember Socialism is great. ...until you run out of other people's money.

Sent from my SCH-R890 using Tapatalk
 
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Also.....the thing that probably hasn't crossed your mind Dave....kinda like running your household....there is only so much money that you have....and only so much that you can spend. Being over 18 trillion in debt is no way to run a house. Remember Socialism is great. ...until you run out of other people's money.

Sent from my SCH-R890 using Tapatalk

I learnt something today. Because of that I understand how your arguments always consist of a straw man. Another fact I learnt today while watching the Iowa State Fair is that Bush gave a 1.6 trillion tax break to the wealthy. There is your money you claim we don't have. Your cute colloquiums are hollow. It allows people to replace thought with simple sound bytes.
 
I learnt something today. Because of that I understand how your arguments always consist of a straw man. Another fact I learnt today while watching the Iowa State Fair is that Bush gave a 1.6 trillion tax break to the wealthy. There is your money you claim we don't have. Your cute colloquiums are hollow. It allows people to replace thought with simple sound bytes.
Ummmm Dave. ...Bush has been out of office for over 6 years. It's no longer his fault. Please watch something other than msnbc.

Sent from my SCH-R890 using Tapatalk
 
Ummmm Dave. ...Bush has been out of office for over 6 years. It's no longer his fault. Please watch something other than msnbc.

Sent from my SCH-R890 using Tapatalk

There you go again. Breathing life into that straw man. We all know how long Bush has been out of office. You keep putting in digs on where I get news from in an attempt to discredit what I say. Two things on that. I'll watch what the hell I want and you stay on topic. Of course it is Bush's fault. Do you have any idea what history is about? Six years later the super wealthy still have that 1.6 trillion tax cut. There are two kinds of Republicans, billionaires and suckers. Check your wallet.
 
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