Veterans groups call out Trump for cruel cuts to veterans

[TXNGL]

Originally Posted by lilyflower3191981

Up to 210,000 veterans over the age of 60, at least 7,000 of whom are over 80, could be impacted by the change. Check out the link that I provided earlier, it is not happening. (and it is a good news.)

Looks like Trump signed a bill to extend the veterans choice program; I think it is ALSO a good news. ALL my friends are happy with veterans choice program.

Really? Have they had an appointment yet with their doctors? OMG.

My husband, combat veteran and 70% disabled, never had a problem meeting with a doctor at the VA until the last few months. Now his doctor MIGHT be able to meet with him in AUGUST, and that he might be able to get an August appt is because he calls every other day and asks if there has been a cancellation. This is appalling. The veteran's choice program is, by the way, running out of money very quickly.

[momonkey]

Originally Posted by greywar

Stopping would indicate that the vet would go from 2K a month on the disability, to 1K a month,on the social security-the disability would end.

If the article got it wrong, I would be interested in learnign that.

And keep in mind-it means once eligible for social security, you would either:
go from 2K/month to 0 and try to live off of savings until full social security would kick in, OR take social security at the lower early value.

So, you started a thread but don't understand what you posted?

[shaker281]

Greywar brought up an issue that might be of interest to veterans and others. He admits that he does not have enough details to fully understand the implications of the changes and the article may not be the final word. Seems like a very fair way to approach posting a topic.

Those who think they already KNOW everything, might not understand the concept of being open to new information.

[shaker281]

There are a lot of questions about Trump's approach to veteran's affairs:
(He DID say he would help them)

Trump's proposal to slash benefits for veterans 'dead on arrival' in Congress

Trump's big VA budget request comes with proposed trims to vets benefits

Elderly Vets Could Face Benefits Cut Under Trump Budget | Military.com

Trump blocks veterans group on Twitter | TheHill

VoteVets Slams Donald Trump's Executive Order Punishing Veterans | VoteVets.org

“My personal Vietnam”

Trump’s only true battle was in the bedroom.
Years before running for President, Trump boasted on Howard Stern’s show about surviving his brave challenges of sleeping around with women who might have sexually transmitted diseases.
“It is a dangerous world out there — it's scary, like Vietnam,” he said in a 2004 clip dug up by BuzzFeed News.
“It is my personal Vietnam. I feel like a great and very brave soldier.”

[lilyflower3191981]

Originally Posted by TXNGL

Really? Have they had an appointment yet with their doctors? OMG.

My husband, combat veteran and 70% disabled, never had a problem meeting with a doctor at the VA until the last few months. Now his doctor MIGHT be able to meet with him in AUGUST, and that he might be able to get an August appt is because he calls every other day and asks if there has been a cancellation. This is appalling. The veteran's choice program is, by the way, running out of money very quickly.

well, what can I say?

I am sorry this doesn't work out for your husband.

To answer your question, Yes, really. Pretty much all of them (my friends) are happy with the veteran's choice program, (keep in mind that they only used this program once or twice when they really had no other choices) and most of them are happy with VA as well. (if you want to know which VA, it is the VA facility in long beach, California. This particular facility has pretty high user review. So it might be a location thing.)

However, to say "they are happy" doesn't mean the program or any program is perfect.

Like I posted earlier, my friend lost an arm in combat, and he never had a problem with a doctor's appointment. Matter of fact, his son was diagnosed with leukemia and VA transferred him to Children's hospital; my friend is only paying $200 + in medication; the kid is getting much better with the treatment.

All these said, I don't mean to argue with anybody as I know different people might have different opinion or experience about the program. I can only report what I see.

I know that the veterans choice program really has no support among a lot of veterans, (but my friends are happy with it. They are in California by the way, I don't know about veterans from other states)

It is viewed as a way to commercialize veterans care and profit from it.

Most of the older vets I know believe in the Veterans Administration programs because they have been in it for some time and have not had to face the bottleneck that new veterans face due to the massive return of personnel from the Middle East. So it seems like a location and individual thing.

Without veteran participation and support the Veteran’s Choice Program is dying on the vine. But it doesn't mean you should just abandon the program altogether.