rap # 33 02/29/12

FREEHOLDERS CALL ON NEW JERSEY’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO OPPOSE HUGE HIKES IN VETERANS HEALTH CARE COSTS

OCEAN COUNTY’S Freeholders are calling on the state’s Congressional delegation to oppose sharp increases in health care costs for veterans, active-duty personnel and their families.

The proposed Federal Budget includes health care premium increases ranging between 30 percent and 78 percent for veterans in the first year alone.

During the first five years of the plan, veterans would see their premiums jump by as much as 345 percent.

"Our veterans deserve the thanks of a grateful nation for their dedication and sacrifice," said Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little. "They should not have to worry about how they are going to afford health care for themselves and their families."

Little said the Freeholders join with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and other veterans’ organizations in opposing these huge increases.

Active-duty men and women would also be hit with increased copays for prescriptions.

"We all understand the challenges facing Washington in these tough economic times, but the federal budget should not be balanced on the backs of the brave men and women who have fought, and continue to fight, for our freedom," Little said.

Little also questioned what impact the cost increases would have on future recruiting efforts.

"The last thing we want is a generation of young men and women unable to serve their nation simply because they cannot afford to," Little said.

With the ongoing War on Terror and continued threats around the globe, our troops continue to be placed in harm’s way, he said.

"Instead of taking away their benefits, we should be asking our servicemen and servicewomen what else we can be doing to help them," Little said.

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