...for the military:
unhappycamper Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Thu Sep-30-10 11:39 AM
Original message
Admiral Mike Mullen: Cost of military health care is 'not sustainable' Updated at 11:39 AM
U.S. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, at a Monitor breakfast with reporters Sept. 29.
Admiral Mike Mullen: Cost of military health care is 'not sustainable'
By Francine Kiefer / September 29, 2010
Like business and government in America, the US military is also burdened with the soaring cost of health care. "It's just not sustainable," said Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, at a Monitor breakfast with reporters today.
He ticked off the rocketing rise in the Pentagon's health spending: about $19 billion in 2000-2001, over $50 billion now, an estimated $64 billion in four or five years. One of his answers to the challenge is higher co-payments that apply to military retirees and their families (active-duty personnel don't pay health fees). The co-pays haven't been raised since 1995.
Admiral Mullen, prepare for a tough fight.
While Americans may be in a heightened state of alert about national deficits and debt, Congress has consistently resisted attempts to raise out-of-pocket health costs for the military. Yet "everybody knows that we're being eaten alive by health care," said Robert Gates, the secretary of defense, last month. He plans to include higher premiums in next year's proposed defense budget. Premiums, like co-pays, have not been touched for 15 years.
Personnel costs, including health and retirement benefits, are by far the largest part of the Pentagon's budget. At the breakfast, Mullen said he was "extremely concerned" about rising personnel costs. In August, an independent, high-level panel called for an overhaul of military pay and benefits. But the subject is so explosive, the panel suggested another bipartisan, high-level commission to study the issue and take recommendations to Congress.
[emphasis by OP]
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9227708This is either the greatest mole shot ever or this jackass is completely oblivious to the implications of his OP.
New thread but I doubt anyone will comment on it.
