Originally published on March 23, 2019
Updated on April 16, 2019
Last updated on May 25, 2019
Beginning of May 25, 2019 Update
End of May 25, 2019 Update
Beginning of May 2, 2019 Update
I was contacted by Congressman Simpson’s Aide on April 24, 2019. She told me that my letter was received and read by the Congressman on or about April 17, 2019. She said Representative Simpson would be “contacting me soon” will detail about my concerns.
End of May 2, 2019 Update
Beginning of April 16, 2019 Update
UPDATE: On April 16, 2019, I sent the following correspondence to Rep. Simpson via his website email form:
On March 23, 2019, I mailed a letter to Congressman Simpson about a concern for TRICARE for Life. I’ve received no response. As luck would have it, a copy of that letter was published on my website [see below] so no one would or could forget. As it’s April 16, 2019, I was hoping to receive a reply from Rep. Simpson or one of his aides by now. I have not.
I understand correspondence sometimes gets lost in the mail, but not as frequently as the letters I send to my Idaho Congressional Delegation. Here is a link to that letter. https://bondyweb.com/tricare-for-life-letter-to-idahos-congressman-simpson/
I will publish this new inquiry to that page and expect Representative Simpson to do the honorable and professional thing by responding. Considering I have waited a significant amount of time already, I will create a front page blog post highlighting your response or lack of response by Wednesday, April 23, 2019. I will also utilize social media to gain a wider audience for this important issue. I believe the public and my audience should know where you stand (or don’t, if I receive no response) on veterans issues.
Thanks,
Tim Bondy
End of April 16, 2019 Update
Date: March 23, 2018
|
To: |
From: |
Subject: Military Veteran Tricare for Life Information Request
Dear Congressman Simpson:
I had the privilege of serving in the United States Air Force for 21 years and honorably retiring in 2003. The next step in my life will be full official retirement between the ages of 65 and 72 years of age. I’m concerned. Why? Read on to find out why one of your honorably discharged military retiree constituents is concerned. However, I will ask a question that needs to be answered first.
Question: Who is responsible for making, changing, modifying, and approving rules and laws regarding Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B as it relates to Tricare For Life (TFL)?
Why am I Concerned: Recently, I have been hearing stories that the Republican Party leadership wants to make changes, mainly reductions, to Medicare and other government programs that could greatly affect my quality of life in the near future.
If these changes and cutbacks might negatively affect my retirement planning, I need to take action as soon as possible. This means I’m trying to be a proactive military veteran while living in what appears to be a possible hostile retirement atmosphere brought on by the GOP.
Obviously, no one wants to struggle in their golden age and that is why I am asking the tough questions of my representative today. Questions that every veteran should be asking and answers that every Representative should be providing to our great military personnel and equally great US. Military Veterans.
As my Representative in Congress, I expect you to fully support veterans and not play the deadly and unnecessary games President Trump has been playing with this nation. No one ever thought a POTUS would lie to the citizens on a daily basis and seemingly work against the people of our great country. We certainly expect our elected officials to fully and completely denounce the dishonesty, lying and moral firestorm President Trump has visited upon us.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio admits that the Republican tax cut plan, which benefits corporations and the wealthy, will require cuts to Social Security and Medicare to pay for it. ~ Newsweek, Oct. 1, 2018
But when it comes to taking care of our military veterans, there can be no hesitation, no ambiguity, no blurring of the lines and certainly no lies that some call misunderstandings or fake news. All veterans deserve the truth and to be taken care of by our elected officials regardless of political affiliation, race, creed, gender or nationality. Hopefully, the entire Idaho Congressional Delegation completely understands this. The seat you hold and your future ‘electability’ as a Republican candidate depends on how you answer this inquiry regarding U.S. Military Veterans issues.
Will You Fight for Veterans?
-
Publish a letter promising you will never vote to increase the costs of Medicare Part A & B and also fight any Congressional attempt to do so in the future.
-
Publish a letter promising you will never vote to decrease Social Security benefits and payments that all veterans rely upon in retirement and also fight any Congressional attempt to do so in the future.
Visibility: Who will see this letter? Obviously, Congressman Simpson is the intended recipient. However, politicians have a way of deflecting tough questions by trying to be sly or ambiguous in their answers. Because of this fact, I will also publish this entire letter on my website and I will also post your response. Obviously, if I don’t get a satisfactory reply or no reply, the letter will also make it to social media and local, state and national chapters of the VFW and other veterans groups. This is a solemn promise to you.
I am looking forward to hearing from you soonest. I am also available for a personal visit with you in your Boise offices or on the phone.
Sincerely,
~ Signed ~
Timothy Bondy
File: C:\Users\Tim\Google Drive\Keepers\Correspondence\Tricare-For-Life-Congressman-Questions.odt
Mailed: March 23, 2019
Emailed: March 23, 2019
Website URL: https://bondyweb.com/tricare-for-life-letter-to-idahos-congressman-simpson/
Deadline For Credible and Honest Reply: April 15, 2019, / G-Cal attachment: