Readers of Tom Philpott's Military Update column sound off.

Filner, Group 8 Vets, Say Tap Other Insurance

As reported in a recent Military Update, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that 90 percent of Priority Group 7 and 8 veterans who are enrolled in VA health care have other health care coverage.

But CBO also notes that to disenroll from VA health care Group 7 and 8 veterans, those who have no service-connected ailments and above-poverty incomes, could "leave up to 10 percent unable to find affordable care."

Congress years ago allowed VA to collect from these veterans' health insurance plans the cost of providing VA care. And I am sure these insurance reimbursements help cover not only the co st of care for these veterans but for those too poor to be thrown out of the VA system.

If Congress or the Obama administration were to consider the CBO option, they should understand that income from other health insurance plans will leave with these patients and their Blue Cross cards.

JOHN K. MATYI
Alabaster, Ala.

As a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, I am among the more than two million Priority Group 7 and 8 veterans who have received primary VA care, in my case at the Asheville (Va.) VA center the last five years. The care has been outstanding. At my age, I would find it costly and difficult to obtain care outside of the system.

It is my understanding that the VA bills my supplemental Medicare insurance provider under standard Medicare protocol and this is, in fact, a source of supplemental revenue to the VA System, covering any cost note borne by me. Has the CBO determined revenue going to VA from Medicare?

TOM SMITH
Via e-mail

The issues raised in the two letter above are much on the mind of Rep. Bob Filner, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Filner says he wants the Department of Veterans Affairs to ignore the CBO option for disenrolling Group 7 and 8 veterans and instead make the VA more efficient through aggressive collection "third party reimbursements from veterans' company health insurance plans. He also wants VA to be fully reimbursed by Medicare for care provided to Medicare-eligible veterans, a concept called "Medicare subvention."

"We can't be raising fees and narrowing access at a time when health care is so necessary," Filner said. But he does sees ways to increase VA funding by employing more sophisticated computer programs that collect reimbursements from veterans' alternative health insurance.

"Billions of dollars," he said, are being "left on the table" because VA doesn't have the right software to identify automatically the alternative health insurance companies of veterans who receive care, "and allow us to go after that in a far more focused way."

Currently, Filner said, VA is "not set up to go after that" money. "Yet there is software available. It's used by insurance companies to make their lives easier." VA needs to install and use it, Filner said.

Likewise, he said, many Medicare-eligible veterans get VA care rather than rely on Medicare. "Again, we're leaving that money on the table. Why shouldn't Medicare be picking up the cost?"

Filner contends that providing VA care has been shown to be cheaper for the government than if elderly veterans use Medicare. Therefore to charge Medicare for VA-provided care will produce net savings for taxpayers.

Filner said he will be pressing VA, and seeking whatever legislation is needed this year, to enhance third-party and Medicare reimbursements. – Tom Philpott

Taking medical benefits away for any veteran, regardless of whether he or she has service-connected injuries, would be a total disaster. No matter when you served, you deserve medical coverage.

I gave up six years, three months and 27 days. I deserve my medicine through the VA.

T.C. COLBERT
Via e-mail

Veterans without military-associated medical problems should be excluded from the VA health care system. Admitting Priority Groups 7 and 8 groups will further load down the system.

The VA was tasked with giving medical care to those who left the military with disabilities, not to take care of everyone who ever served.

RICHARD JOHNSON
Biloxi, Mississippi

I contracted Hepatitis C and today have a very cirrhotic liver. Because of this condition I am unable to obtain health insurance. The VA medical system has been a godsend. They thoroughly have monitored my condition and have been keeping me healthy. However, in the near future I could need a transplant.

I do not abuse the system, but without the VA I will surely not be able to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If this option is adopted I don't know where I will turn for help. It is very difficult to determine the cause of Hepatitis C since it can take up to 30 years to show itself and can be caused by any blood-to-blood contact. So I cannot d irectly blame my military service.

We need to realize that our veterans entered service to country when called rather than run to Canada and deserve to be treated as the patriotic citizens they are. Many of us are not eligible for Medicare and need this valuable service. To have this benefit taken away would be devastating.

TOM N.
Via e-mail

As the mother-in-law of a soon-to-be 20 year vet, I would like to see no changes to VA medical benefits. These men and women have served their country well and have endured hardships that most civilians wouldn't. I find it ludicrous that CBO would even entertain the thought of lowering their medical benefits.

ROSE M. HOEFS
Fargo, North Dakota

I would suffer quite a setback if removed from the VA healthcare system. My income will suffer a dramatic drop if I retire in the next couple of years. Basically I will only have my social security to live on. I was counting on stretching that by being able to get my medical care from the VA. If that is taken away I will have to continue to work to cover Medicare premiums and other expenses.

I hope that at least those already in the system will be allowed to stay.

HORACE MORGAN
Via e-mail

Letters may be edited for clarity or length. Write to Military Forum, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA 20120-1111, send e-mail to militaryforum@aol.com or visit www.militaryupdate.com.

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