In passing the 2008 defense bill, the Democratically-led Congress left beneficiary co-payments unchanged, and directed that federal price discounts be expanded to brand name drugs filled in the TRICARE retail network. The projected pharmacy savings for fiscal 2009, which total $719 million, exceeds the savings estimate used by Bush administration to argue for higher drug co-payments in the retail network. Only time will tell whether expansion of manufacturer discounts relieves budgetary pressure for raising retail pharmacy co-pays for beneficiaries.
But it certainly appears that it could be, and it is also plain for anyone to see that the Republicans, especially this White House is clearly in the pockets of the Drug Companies.
If we say "The drug companies need the higher fees for research and" ... etc, etc, etc? Then you are FOR their side of the argument and FOR their profits, not our Veteran's needs. I can't see how anyone can see it otherwise.
The TriCare article caught my eye and got me to join the list. There are few things that wind me up more than seeing military folk get the short end. The military bennies game is, and will be a political football, at least in the near term. Typical civilian American working Joes are all-for excellent military benefits coverage. My tax dollars should go there long before big oil breaks and building towns in far off lands. In their race to be more patriotic than the other team, the people who are elected to public office must be held accountable when they yank the financial rug out from under military families. At the risk of sounding like a rabble-rouser, the media can be effective in that regard (ie; WRAMC)and call attention to the budget cutters who inevitably show up after an election is over. I grew up in a military family and never joined myself, so I understand the taboos as well as many of the hardships. My parents are long gone, but my respect for members of the military will never die (even you Navy guys)<jab-jab>. All the best, and thank you for what you do - and have done for my country. HalfTrak
As a registered Independent, I laugh at the response this article has received from the many who daily communicate on military.com. I think the reason is that the far right that has supported this administration, just want to stay away from these articles. I remember our President who was first elected because he fed us a line about being totally for and he would support the military. Ho, Ho. Dr. Chu and his cronies in DOD, follow orders and this Administration has never been pro military. I even see Sen. McCain trying to change how the VA sees patients. Having voted for all Presidents since Eisenhower, the Democrats have cared more for the military than the GOP. It must be that the many who correspond on mil.com are well off. Even the JCS agreed that Tricare should raise prices. Thank you Democrats for caring for this old AF retiree. I guess when you are wealthy, you don't care about us lower level military. Maybe that is why our middle class is shrinking daily.
The GOP only care for the military when they send them to war but when coming back that's if they do they look where they can stick the vets in the back. I just saw how MCCain keeps jawboning how he'll continue to be there. Well let me tell you how he'll be there I've written him several times about how there are people in this adminstration who want people to start paying for TFL. I always heard during my 57/76 that we would always have free medical. Well McCain has never answered my e-mails and he's my Senator. The service people better wake up the GOP have never been for the vets. The JCS are political and could care less about the people they represent. TAK AMCS
ri2az Member Posted Sun 31 August 2008 07:45 PM Hide Post The GOP only care for the military when they send them to war but when coming back that's if they do they look where they can stick the vets in the back. I just saw how MCCain keeps jawboning how he'll continue to be there. Well let me tell you how he'll be there I've written him several times about how there are people in this adminstration who want people to start paying for TFL. I always heard during my 57/76 that we would always have free medical. Well McCain has never answered my e-mails and he's my Senator. The service people better wake up the GOP have never been for the vets. The JCS are political and could care less about the people they represent. TAK AMCS
So Whats new? Kipling said it all a long time ago in his poem" TOMMY ATKINS", Read it. I read it when I was a kid when I never thought I would be in the service. I never thought I would see it all come true in my life. Even the veterans of the " Charge of the Light Brigade" were screwed out of their bonus promised to them. How about the Bonus for the WWI Veterans when they needed it? Makes me sick every time I see the beaches in Normandy with all those poor G.I.s Shame on you fat cats in congress. How about another pay raise for yourselves????
