Vet Health Care Cost Hikes Opposed In Ocean County

The Ocean County Freeholders are expressing opposition to the federal government's plans to raise health care costs to veterans, active-duty personnel and their families.

Freeholder Director Gerry Little says they're calling on New Jersey's Washington representatives to intervene. "We're going to adopt a resolution urging our Congressional Delegation to oppose this and urging the Obama Administration to abandon this plan."

Little says the proposed federal budget includes health care premium increases ranging from 30 percent to 78 percent in the first year alone. He says during the first five years of the plan, Veterans would see their premiums jump by as much as 345 percent.

Little believes the changes will have a chilling effect on future recruiting efforts.