Veterans Furious After CBO Report Recommends Cuts to Disability Payments They Earned

Final week, veterans had been outraged to study {that a} Congressional Finances Workplace (CBO) report advisable, amongst different issues, cuts to veteran incapacity funds to mitigate the federal deficit. 

The truth that this advice even made it right into a report means somebody someplace throughout the authorities pitched the concept to sufficient folks to place it down on paper. With energetic obligation navy members struggling to feed themselves, not to mention their households, and veteran homelessness on the rise because of inflation, it’s alarming that anybody in authorities would assume slicing any advantages to those that sacrifice a lot could be a good suggestion.

(Don’t fear, Ukrainian bureaucrats will nonetheless obtain their salaries because of American taxpayers.)

So what introduced us to this unhappy state the place veterans throughout the nation must reside in fixed fear that the incapacity funds they earned could also be taken away from them? The same old negligent half-cocked authorities administration exercised by our elected officers and bureaucrats.

The Congressional Finances Workplace needs to start out means-testing your VA incapacity funds. pic.twitter.com/M29LV3cUZk

— BKactual (@BravoKiloActual) March 21, 2023

We Make Too A lot Cash… ?

The report from the CBO that had veterans in an uproar was printed again in December. The CBO report was commissioned to seek out methods to scale back the staggering $723 billion federal deficit.

The report claimed that the federal government might save a whopping $253 billion over ten years if they only eradicated incapacity compensation for veterans who earn greater than $170,000 a 12 months. The argument behind this advice is that 1.5 million of the 5 million of us disabled veterans have family incomes that exceed $125,000.

Foolish disabled veterans, making one thing of themselves post-military service.

To assume that these veterans scuffling with numerous bodily points and riddled with post-traumatic stress dysfunction overcame the chances which might be stacked towards them to start out their very own companies, discover worthwhile employment, and make some cash for his or her households.

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With all that cheddar, why on Earth would any of them want the incapacity funds from the VA? Oh wait, might it’s as a result of the bodily and psychological accidents we endure whereas in uniform are not like what our civilian brothers and sisters face?

Might it’s as a result of the probability that many people will be capable to work to the ‘regular’ retirement age is slim?

However hey, anyone must sacrifice for the federal deficit… so why not the inhabitants of People who’re well-versed in sacrifice?

Let’s not neglect the CBO asking to remove VA incapacity for veterans to avoid wasting $240B over 10 years whereas exporting $200B to fund proxy wars and overseas pensions

— Jason (@jasonc1387) March 28, 2023

However There’s Extra

The CBO report included different tasty suggestions, together with slicing revenue safety applications such because the Supplemental Vitamin Help Program (SNAP). Does SNAP sound acquainted?

It ought to. Because of the rampant meals insecurity felt by active-duty navy members, many make the most of SNAP advantages. 

But when taking away a grocery lifeline isn’t sufficient, the report additionally talked about taxing veteran incapacity, which at present isn’t taxed, and not paying veteran incapacity for anybody who’s rated beneath 30% disabled.

So why give attention to the VA?

Based on the CBO, the VA finances has elevated:

“300% in actual phrases since 2000; it has elevated by 35% since 2017.”

Add to that the VA paid 4 occasions the quantity of incapacity compensation in 2021 than in 2000, at a heart-stopping $110 billion, although the variety of us veterans operating round this nice nation has dropped 30%. How is that potential?

Some would argue that the VA is lastly approving numerous disabilities as coated that they beforehand didn’t earlier than. Nonetheless, I might additionally enterprise to guess that my technology of veterans is affected by extra distinctive illnesses, each bodily and psychological, than our older veterans.

The VA will add 10% to your incapacity declare should you can odor this image. pic.twitter.com/WQyPA5Z6Ai

— Peter Norris (@texaspetros) March 26, 2023

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A Horrible Thought

Fortunately, our hard-earned VA incapacity advantages are secure… for now.

VA Secretary Denis McDonough said:

“We predict it’s a nasty thought, and we’re not going to do it. You’ve my dedication that we gained’t do it.”

You assume, Denis? Clearly, it is a horrible thought. 

First, it disincentivizes veterans to grow to be entrepreneurs or try to nonetheless contribute to the workforce post-separation. Second, it insults those that have given a lot by insinuating we didn’t deserve our incapacity compensation with each limb misplaced, broken backs and hips, torn up knees and souls, and every other battle wounds we feature with delight.

However, hey, we have now nothing to fret about; the VA Secretary gave us his phrase, proper? This is similar VA struggling with the rollout of the brand new Digital Well being Report (EHR) that we paid simply shy of $10 billion to Oracle-Cerner.

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The identical EHR has had six “catastrophic occasions,” 4 of which led to casualties. As well as, this similar up to date system has prompted mass confusion in scheduling appointments, issuing the improper drugs, and typically, not administering remedy to veterans.

Excuse me if I’m not overly assured in something popping out of the VA. 

The good @AngryCops covers the @USCBO’s latest proposal to chop 🇺🇸 veterans’ incapacity funds based mostly on gross family revenue… regardless of every other variable

$100 billion + for 🇺🇦… And DC bureaucrats suggest slicing off navy VA advantages pic.twitter.com/VGxRaugZjL

— NOVA Campaigns (@NoVA_Campaigns) March 25, 2023

Distinctive Obstacles

The reality is veterans typically have a tough time transitioning from the navy into the civilian world, not to mention those that are disabled. The Wounded Warrior Challenge carried out a survey this 12 months that discovered:

“greater than 80% are having monetary difficulties. Sixty-four p.c are saying they’d problem making ends meet previously 12 months. And 1 in 6 is food-insecure.”

Of these surveyed, 48% stated the highest barrier to unemployment was psychological well being points and psychological misery, with one other 37% saying they wrestle to transition their navy abilities to the civilian workforce. Add to that there are about 8,000 disabled veterans who’ve been denied housing and companies throughout the nation over “technicalities,” and it’s no marvel we face the next threat of homelessness and suicide.

However how might any of this be? In spite of everything, the 2023 VA finances request had the next:

• $153 billion for incapacity and pensions
• $124 billion for medical care
• $21 billion for schooling and vocational applications

The uncomfortable fact is that the VA finances is huge, and the division has grow to be so massive that it fails extra usually than it delivers. Nonetheless, slicing any advantages that we have now earned isn’t the reply. 

PRAYER REQUEST

Please pray for this brother in arms. He has been making an attempt to get the assistance he wants on the VA however they’re making him bounce by way of hoops to get it. I imagine this is without doubt one of the explanation why veterans commit suicide. They offer up. pic.twitter.com/7z4k9cufdh

— Code of Vets ™ (@codeofvets) April 2, 2023

What We Worth

I’m at present in Oklahoma, serving to to maneuver my dad and mom out of their dwelling and convey them to Virginia to reside with us. You see, my dad was reduce from his job nearly a 12 months shy of retirement.

Moreover, shortly afterward, he was recognized with Parkinson’s, so 2022 was not a banner 12 months for my of us.

Fortunately, thanks primarily partially to my pension and incapacity from the VA and my husband’s VA incapacity, we are able to take my writing on the street and transfer them in with us to allow them to spend their early retirement with their grandchildren. One of many contractors engaged on my people’s home can also be a disabled veteran who began his personal enterprise thanks largely to his VA incapacity.

He advised me final week:

“I do know they stated they gained’t take our incapacity, however I advised my spouse we have to plan and count on that they may sometime.”

It’s a tragic day in America that women and men who gave a lot and nonetheless attempt to thrive now should fear that sometime their advantages could also be eliminated to mitigate the deficit.

In the meantime, Chief of Diversity jobs are aplenty within the federal authorities, scholar mortgage forgiveness to the tune of $379 billion is hotly debated and anticipated, and reparations for People who’ve by no means endured slavery is being studied.

I should not be stunned that this is not greater information. This $10B sys meant to modernize the @DeptVetAffairs well being information has prompted 6 incidents of ‘catastrophic hurt’ & in the end the useless deaths of #veterans I imply…who provides a 💩about some vets anyway? 🤷🏼‍♀️🤬

cc:… https://t.co/xVhvMMME9H

— Kat ✍️ (@mohawkmoderate) March 21, 2023