It only took two days of concerted discussion with Veteran’s groups which became hopping mad to get the Obama Administration to back away from their outrageous policy to charge wounded veterans for their medical care.

The White House on Wednesday backed off a controversial plan that would have dramatically altered the way the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) handles insurance claims, after veterans groups staged an all-out fight against such a proposal.

President Obama will not pursue a proposal that would have allowed the VA to charge private insurance companies for the treatment of veterans with service- and war-related injuries. The proposal raised the ire of prominent Democrats on the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs panels. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was the first to announce Wednesday afternoon that the president won’t pursue such a proposal.

For the second time in a week, representatives from prominent veterans organizations went to the White House on Wednesday to meet with the White House chief of staff on VA budget issues.

Jim King, the national executive director for American Veterans (AMVETS), said that the meeting with Rahm Emanuel lasted all of 15 minutes and that the health insurance issue was the only topic discussed. The representatives of the 11 veterans organizations told Emanuel they were not willing to back down, and the chief of staff told them that he thought the issue was “off the table,” but that he needed to talk to Obama.

Another problem with Obama’s competence? Like AIG? Or does Obama not truly respect Veterans – since he ain’t one?

In the meantime, Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spins the full retreat by Obama (Via Ed):

“President Obama listened to the genuine concerns expressed by the veteran service organizations regarding the option of billing service-connected injuries to veterans’ insurance companies,” said Pelosi. “Based on the respect President Obama has for veterans and the principle concerns of our veteran leaders, the president made the decision that combat wounds should not be billed through their insurance policies.”
 
Pelosi made her comments at a meeting with veterans’ service organizations at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. After her announcement, the group gave her a standing ovation.

The original Flap is below.

Obama is doing rather poorly when Jon Stewart rips his wounded veteran’s policy. No wonder “The One” is going on Jay Leno tomorrow night.

By the way, I have ridiculed this betrayal of trust Obama policy a number of times.

Technorati Tags: Jon Stewart, Barack Obama, Veterans

Obama is doing rather poorly when Jon Stewart rips his wounded veteran’s policy. No wonder “The One” is going on Jay Leno tomorrow night.

By the way, I have ridiculed this betrayal of trust Obama policy a number of times.

Technorati Tags: Jon Stewart, Barack Obama, Veterans