Good going, CDR Bob. Your straightforward question(s) and concern(s) are very relevant in view of what Capitol Hill is currently grappling with. Unlike AARP, who announced general support of the evolving health care legislation; MOAA apparently is taking on the longer view, i.e., that “Everyone’s ox is most probably going to get gored. And we stand more than ready to the challenges ahead.” Since very few folks have been able to plow through the thousands of
pages of the current U.S. House and the U.S. Senate health care legislative proposals and amendments, it (unfortunately) remains almost anyone’s guess what will finally come through at the bottom end of the legislative meat grinder
process. Be assured, that no matter what the final Federal Health Care Act finally becomes, hardly no one is going to be very happy.

MOAA’s VADM Ryan’s response and MOAA’s overall strategic planning, appears to be one of let us wait and see what we really have after the political dust has settled. I totally agree. For MOAA to climb into the swirling, over-crowded ring
now and try and duke out our standing interests; could possibly result in existing gains (current benefits) minus benefit losses that we can not afford. For those who have spent time in Disney Land East (Switch Blade Alley —- DCA
Capitol Hill) and working through the tricky political processes required there, itis an absolute fact of life there; that for MOAA to get into the middle of such a wild-eyed, frenzied, compressed and volatile political fire fight now as to the pending health care legislation — is the wrong thing to do and the wrong time. We do not need, at this time, to get into a bloody, politically crowded, over-heated barroom fight in the dark. There will come the proper time, place and day for MOAA is do what is needed. And, together, we shall get it done.

There will come a right time for MOAA to get into the mix. But not now. There will incremental changes (hopefully improvements) to the final health care legislation that really becomes Public Law. In the next few years ahead, we should see some good legislative changes, corrections and tweaks along the way. This pending legislation is more than just huge. This is a monumental giant step for Americans and America.

In my limited view, VADM Ryan has set the right tone, course and MOAA’s correct planning matrix at the right time. Bravo Zulu!

Very respectfully,

CDR Jerry K. Loeb, USN (Ret.)
MOAA Life Member

Certainly a great and most timely message from you showing the concerns of the potential loss of Medicare to those of us who compose MOAA. I’m really surprised that such an important message from you was not provided with the membership
customary comment response capability. Your mention that 130,000 messages are not enough leaves in doubt what the needed millions of messages should stress. I’m particularly concerned that having the Medicare portion as it is so entwined with the health care reform dais that lo and behold, we may suddenly find things aren’t up to snuff because somebody’s projection
of Medicare savings don’t equate to cover health care reform let alone, your noting the mass of baby boomers joining Medicare ranks and our MOAA members very decided need to ensure that Medicare reimbursement to Doctors isn’t hung out to dry.
Wish I could, besides reiterating as you know my concern over the Doctor issue, offer how to best approach a solution. I can’t though and we the membership rely on you and your extremely capable staff on the course ahead.

Thanks very much for your continued expertise in many diverse MOAA matters and a personal friendship.

Very best regards,

CDR Bob Burke, USN (RET)

In a continuation to all other addressees.

It goes without saying this is a critical
substance message from Admiral Ryan, President of your MOAA. It should be forwarded to all your friends. You might also ask them to send it on to anyone else they know in the MOAA community. Then all should join in utilizing the MOAA Internet feature to easily send the suggested (or as you may wish to edit it) message to your Representative and both Senators.Please note that for each of us in MOAA Chapters there are 4 others that our messages are not reaching. Just think what a benefit for all concerned it would be if somehow they could be alerted individually by email when their legislative assistance is needed in a very timely manner.

CDR Bob Burke, USN (RET)

USS Barnes CVE 20 Cruise Book CD
(http://www.navyboy63.com/CD045X/cd_barnes.htm)

You would be purchasing an exact copy of the USS Barnes CVE 20 cruise book during World War II. Each page has been placed on a CD for years of
enjoyable …

Mr. Paul Navarro,
Deputy Legislative Secretary,
Governor’s Legislative Affairs Office

Dear Mr. Navarro:

This is a request for Governor Schwarzenegger to please sign AB343, the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

The 61,000 school-aged military children in California shouldn’t have their educational opportunities limited because their parents are serving our country.
This legislation will provide very important support to thousands of military parents residing in California that care about their children’s education.

Very sincerely,

Robert E Burke

Captain Dunn retired from the Navy in 1998 after 31 years. The majority of his career was spent in the Naval Security Group community.

After completing Russian Language School, he served in various operational, staff and command assignments.

Following retirement, he and his wife Katie settled in Coronado, California. Ivan spent over nine years as a consultant and business leader with Booz Allen & Hamilton and the Government Solutions element of AT&T.

He is a member of the Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association, active in the Coronado Rotary Club and in his church.

Ivan completed his undergraduate degree at Southeast Missouri State University. He holds a Master’s Equivalent from the Navy War College and a Master’s in International Relations from Salve Regina in Newport, RI. He is a graduate of the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California (Russian).

Ivan has been married to his wife Kate for 43 years. He has two children and three grandchildren. Ivan has completed 10 full marathons, numerous half-marathons and currently enjoys bicycling and workouts in military gyms around Coronado. He also enjoys pursuing initiatives which help improve economic conditions and health-care for active and retired military members.

Source: Biography