Medical research specialist Ed Mattson says while the United States has the world's largest military spending; its veterans are being forced "to contribute to their own medical care."

Mattson told Press TV's U.S. Desk on Thursday that Washington spends 43% of the entire military budget of the world and "part of that expense is the Veteran's administration which is a $132-135 billion" industry.

Mattson told the U.S. Desk that instead of paying for all medical expenses, "through the Tricare medical program they're asking veterans to pay more and more of their deductable insurance."

A veteran himself, Mattson said, "a lot of us don't feel that was part of the bargain."

Tricare For Life was instituted to correct the broken promise that military retirees would receive free healthcare coverage for life.

The U.S. Congressional Budget Office has already drafted proposed legislation that would basically reduce Tricare for Life benefits to a system whereby veterans pay deductibles and co-pay up to $6,301 the first year, with future years being indexed to increase with inflation. Gracewire.com

Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has called the military's future health care costs "unaffordable".

Gates said the Defense Department could save up to $7 billion over the next five years with modest increases in Tricare fees for working-age retirees. Examiner.com

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