Republicans Propose Huge Cuts in Veterans' Disability Benefits
Joyce Howard Price
Washington Times
washingtontimes.com
Posted 9/11/2003
September 11, 2003, Summary: First President George Bush pressed for a $15 billion dollar cut in the Department of Veterans Affairs' healthcare budget over 10 years, then he tried to slash combat pay for soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now Bush and the Republican leaders in Congress want to cut benefits for disabled veterans ...
Veterans Fight Provision in Defense Bill
Veterans groups are calling a proposed provision to the 2004 defense authorization bill "outrageous and shameful" because it would limit benefits for disabilities sustained during military service in exchange for providing better pensions for disabled veterans.
At issue is a plan proposed by House Republicans that would deny disability compensation and health care to those who sustain injuries while in the service that are not related directly to performance of their official duties. The bill is in conference.
The proposed change was designed to cut costs so veterans could receive both disability and retirement benefits. Currently, military retirees who serve at least 20 years forfeit a dollar of their pension for each dollar of disability pay they receive.
The Republican proposal would grant both full disability and retirement benefits to the veterans now penalized, if they are 50 percent or more disabled.
For years, veterans organizations have demanded that the 19th-century law that limits the retirement income of disabled veterans be changed, but they want nothing to do with a provision under consideration that would limit the "concurrent benefit" to veterans whose injuries are not a "direct result of the performance of duty."
"We want veterans to receive both disability pay and retirement benefits without offset. But this is an unacceptable trade-off," said Steve Thomas, spokesman for the American Legion, the nation's largest veterans group with nearly 2.8 million members.
Veterans of Foreign Wars also has attacked the plan put forth by the Republicans in conference.
Yesterday, five other veterans groups — AmVets, Disabled Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Vietnam Veterans of America — issued a joint statement condemning the proposal to narrow the definition of "service-connected" injuries.
The nation's veterans and military service organizations are "adamantly opposed to any change that would redefine service-connected disability or restrict the circumstances under which service-connection may be established," the groups said.
Rick Weidman, spokesman for VVA, called the proposal "reprehensible" and warned that it could make it much more difficult for people harmed by chemical or biological agents to qualify for disability.
Mr. Weidman said leaders of top veterans groups converged on Capitol Hill yesterday to express their concerns.
Some Republicans, including President Bush, have said the cost of dual benefits is too high. Pentagon officials have long opposed making full dual benefits available.
The Department of Veterans Affairs yesterday declined to comment on the provision because it has not been settled.
Asked yesterday if the plan is still under consideration, Harald Stavenash, spokesman for the House Armed Services Committee, said, "Everything is still under consideration." He predicted a final compromise bill will not be completed before next week.
Reader Comments | Add Comments | View All Comments
Give with one hand take with the other
Annie
Posted 9/12/2003 1:18:00 AM
I see where now the Rebublican plan for retirees with disabilities is to say, OK, we'll give this to you, but only if we take it away from other veterans.
What a slap in the face. I knew these people were cold blooded, but this is cruel beyond beleif.
ENOUGH!!!
Joe Jones
Posted 9/12/2003 10:36:00 AM
Who do you people think you are to complain about your veterans' benefits? When you do this, you give comfort to the enemy, to Saddam's Al-Qaeda terrorist organization! Judases!!! Your job is to shut up and to do everything you can to reelect our President and his compatriots. All of you, vote. To well-off veterans, give the maximum to the President's reelection campaign--and be creative and funnel through your employees as well. To the many former soldiers in law enforcement, get out there on Election Day and set up roadblocks near polling places in Democratic strongholds. To the techies out there, set up fliers detailing the need to have all tax liens paid off before voting. All of us need to come together for our country, to honor the real Americans who died on 9/11.
Joe
Greg, USMC Veitnam
Posted 9/12/2003 11:13:00 AM
Hey Joe! The kids dying in Baghdad are not real Americans? Are you for real? |
