Obama seeks to have private insurance pay for wounded vets.

This is simply disgraceful. After doling out billions of dollars to unsustainable failing entities, the administration is now looking to save about $540 million by forcing private insurance companies to pay for the care and treatment of veterans suffering service-related injuries and disabilities.

The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization says he is "deeply disappointed and concerned" after a meeting with President Obama today to discuss a proposal to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries. The Obama administration recently revealed a plan to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in such cases.

"It became apparent during our discussion today that the President intends to move forward with this unreasonable plan," said Commander David K. Rehbein of The American Legion. "He says he is looking to generate $540-million by this method, but refused to hear arguments about the moral and government-avowed obligations that would be compromised by it."

First, this is reprehensible as a matter of principle. These service-related injuries were the result of these heroes answering our nation's call to arms; not the call of private insurance companies. As such the government should at least be morally obligated to treat the injuries that result.

Second, for an administration that consistently championed making health care more affordable, this action will only skew the costs of private insurance upward (unless that is the underlying motive after all) as the insurance companies will incur great costs for risks their policies were never priced to cover. Also, as mentioned in the linked article, there is the possibility that certain injuries could quickly exhaust a veteran's insurance coverage leaving the rest of his/her family without health insurance.

Third, this will make it very difficult for injured vets to find private employment after their service, as private employers would likely face elevated premiums.

Shameful!!!