Some military retirees disabled in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan pay more for health care than other retirees, and a new report recommends waiving their insurance premiums to correct the inequity. The report Tuesday by inspectors general of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs suggests waiving for life the Medicare Part B premiums for service members who have been medically retired and are unlikely to get another job.Service members judged unfit for continued service after a service-related injury or illness are called "medically retired" and are eligible to continue receiving care through the military health care system. But those who don't live near VA facilities can enroll in Medicare and go to civilian providers, the report said.Such retirees pay roughly $1,160 annually in monthly premiums until reaching the age of 65, while other retirees remain in the military health care system and don't need the Medicare plan.

Much like the insurance card that most Americans carry we should issue these brave men and women, who made huge sacrifices for us, a V.A. Medical Card. They should be allowed to use it at any medical facility and receive the same care for the same price they would at a V.A. hospital. Is this such a difficult concept to grasp? Is there a better way to take care of this problem?

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