American Legion President Angry After Obama Meeting

This didn't go well:

WASHINGTON, March 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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!"

Obama has a habit of meeting people who disagree with him, not to listen to their ideas, but to try and convince them of the correctness of his views. He met with conservative pundits before the inauguration, GOP members shortly after taking office, and has held various other meetings with groups in opposition to his policies. I have yet to hear one of these meetings ending with both parties feeling like it was time well spent.

This issue will not play well with the general public. Don't forget that each one of these veterans has family members that will be equally upset. It will appear as a violation of the bond of trust between a nation and its military.

Campaign issue here we come.

Isn't it interesting that the only group that Obama wants paying their own health care is injured veterans.