SwiftVets.com

[ASPB]

KERRY'S HALF-TRUTHS ON VETERANS

Kerry's message-of-the-day is going to be about veterans, and particulary about the Bush administration's decision to institute new limits on prescription drug coverage for middle income veterans, and annual $250 enrollment fee and an increase in prescription drug co-pays from $7 to $15 for middle-income veterans. Kerry is likely to criticize these proposals with his usual fair-minded rational clarity and logic, which is to say the term, "crimes against humanity" is likely to be heard.

And in the abstract, that one-line description of the amendment provided by Senator Daschle and repeated by the AP, the Bush rules sound pretty harsh. You picture some dignified Greatest Generation vet, walking with a limp from an artificial leg, digging into his savings account to handle the annual fee and grumbling as he goes into his wallet, full of black and white photos, to find an extra ten and a five for the copay.

However, lost in the hype is the fact that the proposal wouldn't affect those — such as veterans with a disability rated at 50% or more — who currently aren't required to make any co-payments.

The middle-income veterans who currently aren't being allowed to sign up for the prescription benefits are those generally with incomes above 80% of the mid-point for their locality. The means test cut-off for benefits ranges up to $40,000 a year in many cities. And any veteran with income less than $25,162 still qualifies no matter where they live. Those figures are for single veterans. The income cut-off is higher for those with a spouse or children.

For example, in the District of Columbia, the cut-off income level for a vet with two children is $50,850. A vet living alone, the cut-off is $39,550. In Beaufort County, South Carolina, the limit is $44,650 for a vet with two children, $34,700 for a vet living alone. Check your own county's income limits at the VA website (in PDF file form).

As Factcheck.org puts it, "And it should be noted that the administration is proposing to increase some benefits, including ending pharmacy co-payments for some very low-income veterans, and paying for emergency-room care for veterans in non-VA hospitals.

All this means Bush can fairly be accused of trying to hold down the rapid growth in spending for veterans benefits — particularly those sought by middle-income vets with no service-connected disability. But saying he cut the budget is contrary to fact."
_________________
On Sale! Order in lots of 100 now at velero@rcn.com Free for the cost of shipping All profits (if any, especially now) go to Swiftvets. The author of "Sink Kerry Swiftly" ---ASPB

[The bandit]

Can't believe anything that comes out of Kerry's mouth, even when he tells us what he owns and drives......