Who's Paying The Bill Re: [MilCom] EVAC 33114

[Ken]

Greg:

Well not exactly....  The government can bill for all of the medical 
services provided to include transporation.. If I remember correctly the 
Secretary of Defense or any of the service secretaries can grant a waiver 
for this.  Overall I think that generally DOD does bill private insurance 
companies, but I'd also assume there's a war clause that basically may 
exclude payment for any injuries, so again would DOD bill the individual or 
employer -- that's an unknown...  If it were me, I'd require any news agency 
sending a reporter into that area to sign a contract stating that they would 
be required to pay DOD for any medical care or transportation provided.. Of 
course those "stringers/self employed' contract folks (like the lady 
reporter now being held captive in Iraq) probably have no contract coverage 
at all -- so we (as taxpayers) will not only have to cover their 
medical/transporation expense but will also have to shoulder all the loses 
(young military personnel) if a rescue mission is launched.

Probably a good question for your congressman as to what the government will 
be paid in this instance... Watch them all tap dance.....

BTW generally don't all those reporters in Iraq carry satcom phones with 
them so they can basically call home at any time & talk with their family 
members?  Wouldn't it be nice if every small unit in Iraq had one of these 
satcom phones so they too could call home!!!

Ken

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Greg Brazil" <baycomm at earthlink.net>
To: <milcom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2006 6:39 PM
Subject: Re: [MilCom] EVAC 33114


> Why do we as tax payers have to pay for the air plane rides & the hospital 
> bills of private citizens who were getting paid big money to be in Iraq, 
> should not ABC/ Disney pay for this?
> Greg (SF Bay Area)