"drugs are available at "reasonable prices" overseas because insurance companies are paying unreasonable prices here and elsewhere and can tolerate a few large-volume discounts to make a sale"

Isn't that just a polite way of saying they are going to charge whatever the market will bear? That they will adjust prices so as to maximize profits? Yeah, I know, it depends on your point of view...

I do not qualify for the programs you mention, because I am not retired career military, service-disabled, or currently on active duty. My VA bennies are not as generous as you might think (they charge for care depending on your ability to pay, and on the character of your service).

I enrolled in the VA program this year just to make sure I had some backup coverage if I was layed off (which has been imminent for me for some time now). It might make financial sense if I were unemployed with no savings or retirement income, but the charges and copays go up along with your financial condition. I got some medicated dandruff shampoo and cortisone cream for a minor skin rash just so I could test my VA card when I enrolled in the system, and I got billed $45. Although I am officially enrolled in the VA, I still pay for insurance through work, although I just went through the 2010 re-enrollment process and my benefits were savaged and premiums jacked up. No doubt the insuror is anticipating Obamacare will get passed so they are getting ready. I'm sure if the bill gets defeated they'll send me a big refund check.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I don't mind paying my share of my work-related coverage as long as I'm working, and I think its only fair that my out-of-pocket VA copay is hitched to my income. But the system isn't a government gravy train for ex-GI freeloaders, either.

I am also fortunate that my service records proved that I served in a war zone in wartime (although I never saw action in 'Nam, my ship did conduct combat patrols in a designated battle zone, we supported combat operations, and we were paid hazardous duty pay while we were on the gun line). The VA tried to deny me that benefit, and I had to appeal. Fortunately, I got a sympathetic counselor who kicked ass and took names for me. If not for that technicality, my benefits would be a lot less comprehensive and substantially less generous. And of course, my wife has no coverage at all.