Costs of Care

Former President, George, H. W. Bush (Bush 41) has been hospitalized continuously since November 23.  Part of that time was spent in the Intensive care Unit of the hospital in Houston.  While medical costs are, no doubt, included in his government retirement, one cannot help but wonder what the costs of his care might end being.  Are these costs paid by Medicare?  Are they part of Tri-care seeing as he was a military veteran?  Are the costs part of his retirement plan?  Regardless, it is most likely that the costs of his treatments are being paid by taxpayers as they should be.  The point of this post, however, is to point out that many who serve our country are not so fortunate.  Hardly a day goes by without an advertisement soliciting funds to support disabled veterans.  Another solicitation for financial support is the Wounded Warriors Project.  In both cases, it appears that while the government can pay for the medical expenses of a retired President there is a problem paying for the costs of caring for others who served their country.  Disabled veterans and wounded warriors developed their need for on going care as a result of wounds and injuries they received while on military duty.  President Bush, on the other hand, is hospitalized for bronchitis and a lingering cough.  The real issue that needs to be faced is why disabled veterans and wounded warriors need to be dependent upon charitable donations rather than having their health needs also being met by the government at taxpayer expense.  No one like to talk about increased taxes, but taxes to pay the costs of those who were wounded or injured in service to the country are most certainly justified and should never be the subject of the whims of members of Congress when it comes time to vote on budgetary issues.  It borders on insulting that there are commercials on television seeking donations to help these people and their families provide the care made necessary by their service to the country.  In no way is this meant to infer that the care needed by President Bush should not be available to him but neither should the care for those injured in the service of the country be dependent upon charitable donations.