American Legion Voices Concern Over Healthcare

While the following article doesn't have anything specifically to do with bingo game supplies or the bingo industry, it's obviously pertains to The American Legion.

And, since many American Legions run fundraising bingos (many of them our customers), we thought this would be of interest. So, below is an excerpt from an article regarding a new proposal from President Obama dealing with veterans and healthcare.

From The American Legion:
The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization says he is "deeply disappointed and concerned" after a meeting with President Obama today to discuss a proposal to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries. The Obama administration recently revealed a plan to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in such cases.


"It became apparent during our discussion today that the President intends to move forward with this unreasonable plan," said Commander David K. Rehbein of The American Legion. "He says he is looking to generate $540-million by this method, but refused to hear arguments about the moral and government-avowed obligations that would be compromised by it."


The Commander, clearly angered as he emerged from the session said, "This reimbursement plan would be inconsistent with the mandate ' to care for him who shall have borne the battle' given that the United States government sent members of the armed forces into harm's way, and not private insurance companies. I say again that The American Legion does not and will not support any plan that seeks to bill a veteran for treatment of a service connected disability at the very agency that was created to treat the unique need of America's veterans!"

For the complete story, please see Craig Roberts, The American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for Treatment, The American Legion via Yahoo News, March 16, 2009.