re: #540 phred.s

This plan, at least what I’ve read, differs little from the third party payer already in effect on the active duty side.

1. Soldiers are not required to have third party insurance.

2. If they do, then they are Congressionally obligated to provide the insurance information (e.g. a spouse has insurance through a job).

3. The government then bills the third party insurance.

This has been the policy for the past ten or so years I’ve worked in military healthcare. The precedent was set in Congressional law and lawsuits going back some ten years ago, or so.

That said, when the balloon first floated, I knew it it would create a stink. But it is little different then policies in effect on the active side, which is probably where Secretary Shinseki got the idea.

wasn’t that ONLY for non-combat or duty related issues treated by the VA?