This has since been revoked, too many Veterans groups were up in arms about it.  I wrote every congressman in Texas and Virginia.  My fathers group CVMA, as well as AMVETS,  the DAV , Rolling Thunder, the VFW and many others have made it very clear that this will not be acceptable.  My father's Leukemia is a direct result of the US Government covering up the use or the affects of herbicides used during the Vietnam War.  This was something I was ready to fight for, not only for my father, but for my husband as well.  My husband was injured on the flight deck of a Carrier while on deployment. 

Updated 6:57 p.m.
By Philip Rucker

President Obama today abandoned a proposal to bill veterans' private insurance companies for treatment of combat-related injuries after the measure prompted an outcry from veterans service organizations and members of Congress.

The proposal would have authorized the Department of Veterans Affairs to charge private companies for treating injuries and other medical conditions related to military service, such as amputations, post-traumatic stress disorder and other battle wounds. The measure was intended to save the VA about $530 million a year, but the administration's pursuit of third-party billing sparked resistance from leaders of powerful veterans groups, who met earlier this week with Obama.

In a statement released this afternoon, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said the president has "instructed that its consideration be dropped."

"In considering the third party billing issue, the administration was seeking to maximize the resources available for veterans," Gibbs said. "However, the president listened to concerns raised by the [veterans service organizations] that this might, under certain circumstances, affect veterans and their families' ability to access health care."

Veterans groups said the policy would jeopardize the insurance benefits of veterans and their families and would be an abrogation of the government's responsibility to care for those wounded in war.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), a senior member of the Veterans' Affairs and Budget committees who warned VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki last week that Obama's third-party billing proposal would be "dead on arrival," issued a statement saying the president "did the right thing in dropping this proposal.

"Injured veterans and their families have already paid enough of a price, they shouldn't have to worry about the tab for service-related care," Murray said.

Gibbs said Obama wants to "continue a constructive partnership" with veterans groups and highlighted the administration's commitment to veterans. In his budget blueprint, Obama proposes the largest increase in the VA's budget in 30 years.

Paul Reickhoff, executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, was critical of the proposal and issued a statement today saying that the administration is "upholding our sacred trust with America's veterans. Veterans of all generations are celebrating this decision."

It's totally disgusting that it was even considered! The government and whoever else was involved in this idea should be ashamed of themselves.

I agree bestkynurse...how can someone make a decision such as this, when they haven't stepped foot on war torn soil, been injured for our nation, or lived with someone who has??? I grew up with Vietnam Vets, some whom had missing limbs and were confined to wheelchairs, some who had stomach cancer from Agent Orange, others who were mentally unstable and would have flashbacks from the mere sound of a helicopter overhead, some had a host of other unknown illness that could not be dx.  I love these men they are my family, I love our military, I love my husband and they deserve to be respected and have the help the government promised them when they signed up to fight for our country.  I am truely not trying to be controversial and don't want any hard feelings from those who support Obama, but I believe he was incredibly wrong to assume this would be something that would be agreed upon.   I will fight till my death, to make sure that the Veterans are taken care of...I have fought since I was young enough to understand the concept and I will continue to fight. 

This just goes to show you the quality of our leadership doesn't it?  It is amazing and appaling.  How much we owe our military!!!

Hollye Clardy, RN

I disagree that this was a moral lapse on the part of BO.  While ramifications such as increased cost of premiums, inability to get coverage for certain conditions, early max out of benefits for the vets condition alone leaving nothing for the rest of his/her family, of such a program were poorly thought out, I think that BO was brainstorming to bring about a decrease in the cost of caring for vets.  There is nothing wrong with that per se.  Government administration of ANYTHING always costs more than the same tasks done by private sector workers and admnistrators due to the fact that the government has volunteered to be the employer of last resort, employing and continuiing to employ many 'workers' whose contributions for one reason or another are marginal at best.  Civil service jobs are sacrosanct, and it is exceedingly difficult to fire the most  worthless of government employees once they've passed their probationary periods. Insofar as private insurance can be used to pay for the tx of these injuries, it should be, PROVIDED that the effects of such a shift to private administration is transparent to the veteran. 

Oh, btw, I'm not  BO supporter... I do, however, try to be fair.....

It is morally repugnant that anyone would think even for a second of a wounded vet to pay for his own healthcare for service related injuries.......this from an administration that was going to provide universal healthcare for all.....what a joke.

I do apologize if I read your post incorrectly and answered it in an attackful manner.  I am very passionate when it comes to my father, the treatment that he incurred after the war in Vietnam (even though I was not alive) and his treatment now, and preserving his memory and those other fallen soliders memories.  I grew up around many veterans who did not reap any benefits from the US government, did not receive any help from the VA, and were just cast off as crazy, PTSD victims who died from various undiagnosable illnesses that the "government" didn't seem to be too concerned about.   So again, I apologize that in my hast I may have responded inaccurately to your comment.  I just think the government is and should be responsible for these men and women. 

That bill was BS...hence it didnt pass

-Gerard

Good news!