War and Healthcare: Soldiers and Working Families do Without

It’s happening everywhere. From active duty military personnel to local residents in Massachusetts and across the U.S., healthcare benefits are being cut, deductibles increased and annual pay outs limited.

In March 2007, the Pentagon warned that mounting healthcare costs could jeopardize the military’s ability to wage war. The Defense Department reports that the growing number of aged veterans coupled with rising doctor and health benefits costs have more than doubled the annual price tag for healthcare for military personnel and their families. Annual costs grew from $19 billion in 2001 to $39 billion in 2007. And that total is expected to grow to $64 billion annually by 2015. 

“Without relief, spending for healthcare will . . . divert critical funds needed for war fighters, their readiness, and for critical equipment,” says Dr. William Winkenwerder, assistant defense secretary for health affairs.

And while you may be partial to paying for the health of U.S. citizens over making war (as I am), it is startling to consider that the federal government has reached the point where they must choose between equipping soldiers and paying their medical bills.

In Massachusetts, one of many states trying to figure out how to provide medical coverage for ALL its residents, the state government is considering allowing annual deductibles as high $2000! On top of monthly fees!!

And in an upfront and (dare we say) telling statement, Nancy Turnball, president of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, said, “The state is going to have to make some difficult trade-offs between comprehensiveness of benefits and affordability of coverage, at least in the short-run”.

What all of these “statements” and “trade offs” add up to is that those without the money to pay for high-priced medical, dental and vision care (like the soldiers and their families, who are fighting our battles, or low-income workers) will go without. And the rich will have all they need.

Isn’t it time we stopped waiting for bureaucrats and politicians to fix the U.S. healthcare system?

There has to be a better answer.

About the author
Jim Martinez is a National Sales Director with Ameriplan USA ®. Offering discount dental and health plans for individuals or households. Any age or preexisting conditions are

accepted and plans start at only $24.95 for families and individuals .Covers everyone living in your household Be sure to visit our Blog section for more quality information. You are free to reproduce this article as long as you reprint the entire article including this resource box and all links.

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