Rumsfield :Hike Military Health Premiums

[ugonow]

www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/58190.html That should make waves. It does sound reasonable, if the prices quoted are true.

[Deleted]

I'm against taking anything away from military personnel, past or present. They deserve everything they get--- FAR more than lots of gov't people who are never in harm's way in their life except driving their cars on the freeway. NO!! It never entered my mind to enlist, because I am not that brave, to be honest. But many friends, family, etc, have served or are serving. My step-father was AF for 20 years or so, fought in Korea, he and my deceased mother had Tri-Care, loved it.. NO taking from military personnel. Find another way. Even people that never end up fighting deserve it, because at any time they COULD have been sent off to fight and maybe die. NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

[deziloooooo]

If paying only $20 per month is what they are paying, granted salaries for many, the newest are low, though definitly not what I was getting, and being in harms way too, but that was a different time..then to consider raising some, why not, doesn't have to be to the level of civilien cost, but a increase..

I know it doesn't work that way, but actually new recruits , military, are thought not to have the responsibilities of families yet, though I know in reality that is not how the reality of works out..possible back before WW2 it was more in vogue..the way things were.

[Deleted]

I'm sure that is for a single military person. My son-in-law has insurance, my daughter and the baby do not, because the family cannot afford the premiums!!!!!!! Don't get sucked in by this, people. Propaganda. Military families pay. WHO would begrudge one military man or woman cheap insurance? Not me. Gold plated crap for Congress, and military families can't afford to insure the entire family?? Gimme a break...
NO to taking from military personnel.

[deziloooooo]

Jul 1, 2011 13:32:06 GMT -5 @krickitt said:

I'm sure that is for a single military person. My son-in-law has insurance, my daughter and the baby do not, because the family cannot afford the premiums!!!!!!! Don't get sucked in by this, people. Propaganda. Military families pay. WHO would begrudge one military man or woman cheap insurance? Not me. Gold plated crap for Congress, and military families can't afford to insure the entire family?? Gimme a break...
NO to taking from military personnel.

To bad about the daughter and grand baby..possible by 2014, they will get coverage, afford it..Obama care will be in force..if below a certain $ amount in economics, it will be available..something to look forward to I would think.

You too actually, another good thing..

[ugonow]

Seems Rummy has company on this----"Costs of the program that provides health coverage to some 10 million active duty personnel, retirees, reservists and their families have jumped from $19 billion in 2001 to $53 billion in the Pentagon's latest budget request.

Desperate to cut spending in Washington's time of fiscal austerity, President Barack Obama has proposed increasing the fees for working-age retirees in the decades-old health program, known as TRICARE. After years of resisting proposed increases for the military men and women who sacrificed for a nation, budget-conscious lawmakers suddenly are poised to make them pay a bit more for their health care, though not on the president's terms.

The current fees, unchanged in 11 years, are $230 a year for an individual and $460 for a family. That's far less than what civilian federal workers pay for health care, about $5,000 a year, and what most other people in the U.S. pay.

Obama is seeking a fee increase of $2.50 per month for an individual and $5 per month for families, which approaches the current price of a gallon of gasoline. Future increases starting in 2013 would be pegged to rising costs as measured by the national health care expenditure index produced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which projects 6.2 percent growth. "

www.theledger.com/article/20110508/NEWS/110509383

[deziloooooo]

Under our current financial constraints, seems a fair thing to do...most of these folks worked good jobs after their service..I know many here, through the VFW , never retired military, either disabled as I was, or just put their time in, four years , some more but not the twenty or more and use the VA for a lot..I do a bit on a few things but rather pay myself for coverage , my call there, so have own Doctors but on some things, I use em..most of my friends will do fine with a bit more out of pocket...for those who can't , I guess they would qualify for other programs...many of the seniors, Medicare and something this generation know little about , many have some kind of work pensions...Most are doing ok in retirement as I am...not great but not bad at all.

[ugonow]

I wouldn't mind paying 460 a yr for family coverage....don't get me wrong,I don't begrudge them it in the least...Just saying it doesn't sound like a bad deal to me.

[Deleted]

Yes, the retired military health care premiums are indeed cheap. Just to put it in perspective though we are talking about people that already put in their time & retired (like me). Back in the old days military pay was so low that often military members had to work 2 jobs to afford to live. Either that or you spouse had to work. What was the justification for working long hours (I'm pretty sure my hours in would average more than 11 hours per day. I also worked weekends) was twofold: 1. You get a retirement check when you retire & 2. You get free health care for life. They have already started charging for health care & now they want to raise it. So... Sure it's cheap, but it already costs more than the agreement that was in place when we earned it (they changed the rules AFTER we put in our 20).

Compare it to buying a car & paying it off. Then the dealer comes back & say "You know, we didn't make as much on that car as we should have. So now you have to make more payments". That's exactly what a lot of military feel like.

[jkapp]

When I first heard this I was hesitant, but an additional $2.50 for an individual per month and an additional $5.00 for family seems very reasonable to me. I have friends and family in the military and I doubt they would even bat an eye if they were told about this increase...in fact, I know one who would be more mad that they were wasting his time telling him about such a small change - he's too busy to be bothered with $5 a month out of his check ;D

[Deleted]

A few $$$ a month I could go with, but putting them at the level of others is, IMO, wrong. We'll do that as soon as the elitists in Congress get the same treatment.

[jkapp]

Jul 1, 2011 15:41:07 GMT -5 @krickitt said:

A few $$$ a month I could go with, but putting them at the level of others is, IMO, wrong. We'll do that as soon as the elitists in Congress get the same treatment.

That I agree with...in fact, I believe the politicians should have to cover their entire premium. Let them know what their coverage REALLY costs.

[AGB]

It does sound reasonable, if the prices quoted are true.

It sounds reasonable, until you consider that it's not what was promised. Yeah, it's been broken already, but why go even further. It's not the $2.50/month increase that's the issue for me, it's that you shouldn't be able to change the terms after the fact.

From the OP's article:
"Strategically, the former Secretary of Defense argued for the repositioning of forces away from Cold War positions toward smaller, forward bases. “Until 2005, for example, America was paying $225 million annually to station aircraft in Iceland to monitor threatening Soviet bombers and submarines that hadn’t been around for over a decade,” he says."

How many more of those are there, how many more can be eliminated without compromising our safety? I don't want to hear about hiking military health premiums one penny until the waste has been eliminated first. $225m/yr pays that $30/yr in proposed premium hikes for 7.5m folks. Cut the fat, and we may just find out that the hikes are not needed.

[ugonow]

Compare it to buying a car & paying it off. Then the dealer comes back & say "You know, we didn't make as much on that car as we should have. So now you have to make more payments". That's exactly what a lot of military feel like.

I understand 100 percent what you guys are saying. But it has gone on in the private sector for years,My insurance was free when I retired, I have had raises bring it up to 350 a month now.Even union retirees are experiencing it. And recently, there have been cases decided that says the government[local in these cases] have the right to adjust the terms of retirees pension benefits....

[deziloooooo]

Jul 1, 2011 15:41:07 GMT -5 @krickitt said:

A few $$$ a month I could go with, but putting them at the level of others is, IMO, wrong. We'll do that as soon as the elitists in Congress get the same treatment.

I don't believe they will be at the level of others , I believe it will be a fair assessment..

as one above said, the pay back then, before volunteer service...was pretty poor, hoo boy was it , even for the time..even with the combat pay..and we could not tell them to take the job and shove it..[ at times , to think it , another story, heard the old man after a little outing say to the top, this job sucks, and I chimed in with a Amen, and we all split up laughing, so help me, top belted my helmet ] today, it is a different story. No one is going to get rich and when you consider the responsibilities , even for the enlisted and those who drive the carriers, Submarines, command whole battalions, even companies..not that great for the responsibilities..but much more in line with their responsibilities..well earned and no one that I know begrudges them that..

[Deleted]

You believe that, why, Dezi?? Just because you BELIEVE?? How? I gave that up a long time ago. Yeah.. just have faith.. military won't get screwed... who would do that.....

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Ahhh ... just 1,096 days until my wonderful DH is eligible for retirement.

[deziloooooo]

Jul 1, 2011 16:23:49 GMT -5 ❤ mollymouser ❤ said:

Ahhh ... just 1,096 days until my wonderful DH is eligible for retirement.

How many years in ? Can I ask hubbies rank??

Is he retiring after 20 or going for more?

So appreciative of his surface and your sacrifice too molly..it is as much as his in some ways, being a military spouse..

[deziloooooo]

Jul 1, 2011 16:09:56 GMT -5 @krickitt said:

You believe that, why, Dezi?? Just because you BELIEVE?? How? I gave that up a long time ago. Yeah.. just have faith.. military won't get screwed... who would do that.....

I think I am talking to a ghost here , but yes Krickett I believe that..in fact , if the figures that are being bandied about above are true it's a fact..

If you are a ghost..all I can say, it's been interesting krickett..Vaya Con Dios child..,

[reasonfreedom]

Military cuts are going to have to be made period along with SS, health care and tax increase/ending tax cuts. If people say that it is not reasonable to cut these programs then maybe they should go back in a time machine and impeach a lot of of politicians, otherwise your just going to be fooking future generations.

Watch the movie at this link and it gives out multiple solutions, plus there was a movie made that actually described the problems in further detail.

www.iousathemovie.com/

[kadee79]

Obama is seeking a fee increase of $2.50 per month for an individual and $5 per month for families, which approaches the current price of a gallon of gasoline. Future increases starting in 2013 would be pegged to rising costs as measured by the national health care expenditure index produced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which projects 6.2 percent growth. "

Maybe I'm not understanding this correctly, but I see an annual increase in there...6.2% growth?
So if they increase it $20 for a family this time and 6.2% (of what) next time and the next time and the next time....how high is it going to go?

My son told me that his would go from the $460 to well over $2000 in a very short period of time. His budget had been made out for the $460 amount. That throws his budget way out of wack and means less savings both for retirement & college for the kids.

[billisonboard]

Jul 1, 2011 18:34:04 GMT -5 kadee79 said:

...
That throws his budget way out of wack ...

USA Budget Deficit for 2011 $1.5 trillion and Gets Worse In ...
econintersect.com/.../2011/.../usa-budget-deficit-for-2011-1-5-trillio... - Cached
Jan 27, 2011 – They estimate the 2011 budget deficit at almost $1.5 trillion, following deficits of $1.4 trillion in 2009 and $1.3 trillion in 2010. ...

[deziloooooo]

Jul 1, 2011 18:55:16 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Jul 1, 2011 18:34:04 GMT -5 kadee79 said:

...
That throws his budget way out of wack ...

USA Budget Deficit for 2011 $1.5 trillion and Gets Worse In ...
econintersect.com/.../2011/.../usa-budget-deficit-for-2011-1-5-trillio... - Cached
Jan 27, 2011 – They estimate the 2011 budget deficit at almost $1.5 trillion, following deficits of $1.4 trillion in 2009 and $1.3 trillion in 2010. ...

so if they get rid of the Bush Tax cus for the wealthiest , those with income over a million per year..raises by 3.7 % that gives us ...just saying, but every bit helps..bet if the pubs went along with that , they would get something they would like back..the way it use to work ..just saying..

[Deleted]

so if they get rid of the Bush Tax cus for the wealthiest , those with income over a million per year..raises by 3.7 % that gives us ...just saying, but every bit helps..bet if the pubs went along with that , they would get something they would like back..the way it use to work ..just saying..

Deziloooooo, you seem like a nice person. But I have to say the answer to why some people like pink & others like purple has nothing to do with Bush's tax cuts. Let it go.

[deziloooooo]

But it makes such good sense to me Old , and I am a nice person..Mom told me that, think even the ex thinks so..
We see each other most thanksgivings and she speaks to me... ;D

[formerexpat]

so if they get rid of the Bush Tax cus for the wealthiest , those with income over a million per year..raises by 3.7 % that gives us ...just saying, but every bit helps..bet if the pubs went along with that , they would get something they would like back..the way it use to work ..just saying..

They're Obama's tax cuts for the wealthy now.

In addition, there was a tax break of 2% on SS premiums into the system - that could have helped a lot more than the tax cuts on those making over $1m.

www.taxfoundation.org/news/show/250.html

4% of the income that is in the 35% bracket for the top 1% would yield less than $50bn. How do you plan on closing the other 1.45 trillion gap?

There are also already tax hikes for those same people embedded in Obamacare.

Massive spending decreases are coming. Let's just hope, for the sake of many people, that it is done by choice instead of Greek style.

[deziloooooo]

Jul 1, 2011 20:12:55 GMT -5 formerexpat said:

so if they get rid of the Bush Tax cus for the wealthiest , those with income over a million per year..raises by 3.7 % that gives us ...just saying, but every bit helps..bet if the pubs went along with that , they would get something they would like back..the way it use to work ..just saying..

They're Obama's tax cuts for the wealthy now.

In addition, there was a tax break of 2% on SS premiums into the system - that could have helped a lot more than the tax cuts on those making over $1m.

www.taxfoundation.org/news/show/250.html

4% of the income that is in the 35% bracket for the top 1% would yield less than $50bn. How do you plan on closing the other 1.45 trillion gap?

There are also already tax hikes for those same people embedded in Obamacare.

Massive spending decreases are coming. Let's just hope, for the sake of many people, that it is done by choice instead of Greek style.

Former..you have to read all of the post , I believe that I said every little bit helps..and if that was gotten , they could parley that back to something the other side might not want to give, it's the way things are done, not just in Washington , every where, you give a little , I give a little, so if your correct with the figures you put up, I am going with them..no reason to quibble, possible what they got back would be another 50 Billion..now we are up to 100 billion..as far as the deficit, the 1.45 Trill, are you expecting a balanced budget this year? if you are, sorry, not happening..

[Phoenix84]

"I'm against taking anything away from military personnel, past or present. They deserve everything they get--- FAR more than lots of gov't people who are never in harm's way in their life except driving their cars on the freeway."

I have to disagree krickitt. The nation is deeply in debt and there can be no sacred cows anymore. I don't think increasing the premiums active duty, retirees, and their families pay is unreasonable. I'm a federal employee, my premiums have gone up while our COLA adjustments have been nothing. People have it far worse in the private sector, why should military be any different? The price increases being discussed shouldn't break the banks of any military personnel, but could go a long way to help balencing the budget.

Healthcare costs have risen dramatically in the past 10 years, the military needs to keep up.

[Phoenix84]

I think military pensions need to be reformed and made similar to other federal pensions.

There was a guy I worked with who was in the Air Force 20 years as was his wife. They both retired in their early 40's and were both working full time. They were getting TWO military pensions on top of their federal civilian salries. On top of that they were only paying $20 a month for healthcare. In addition they would be eligable to receive a pension from their civlian career upon retirement. this is called "double dipping." Combined they must have made at least 250k from the government, not including benefits. The guy even went back to school on the GI bill to get his college degree, they even bought him a laptop.

[kadee79]

I have to disagree krickitt. The nation is deeply in debt and there can be no sacred cows anymore. I don't think increasing the premiums active duty, retirees, and their families pay is unreasonable. I'm a federal employee, my premiums have gone up while our COLA adjustments have been nothing. People have it far worse in the private sector, why should military be any different? The price increases being discussed shouldn't break the banks of any military personnel, but could go a long way to help balencing the budget.

Healthcare costs have risen dramatically in the past 10 years, the military needs to keep up.

Well, before we start cutting out all the military perks how about we cut out Congress's perks first!!! Do away with their health care benefits & their pensions....that would save a bundle!
I'm sure someone probably has those figures???