Since 03-31-06
mrgrg-ms-talk - Digest Number 1121 - 13
messages in this issue
Since 03-31-06
From: mrgrg-ms-talk@yahoogroups.com [mailto:mrgrg-ms-talk@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Friday, March 31, 2006 2:29 AM
To: mrgrg-ms-talk@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [mrgrg-ms-talk] Digest Number 1121
There are 13 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Fw: DoD Says Too Many Retirees Using Tricare and That Intent of Rate Increases is to Drive People Out
From: "Jean D. Beard" <dale98@tampabay.rr.com>
2. [Fwd: [mrgrg-nation-wide] DOD Says "Too Many People Using Tricare" : TRICARE fees--from Colonel John M. Vann]]
From: Floyd Sears <fsears@bellsouth.net>
3. Fw: Google Alert - "Military Retirees"
From: "Jean D. Beard" <dale98@tampabay.rr.com>
4. Emailing: what is new on http://diodon349.com/ today, 03-30-06
From: saintjim@earthlink.net
5. Re: Emailing: what is new on http://diodon349.com/ today, 03-...
From: Vike2001@aol.com
6. Fw: Support HR 4949 - Military Retirees' Health Care Protection Act
From: saintjim@earthlink.net
7. Fwd: Military Health System Transforming to Address New Challenges
From: James Ret <alamostation@yahoo.com>
8. [Fw: Capwiz Bill Note for Mar 29, 2006 Military Retiree Medical Care]
From: Floyd Sears <fsears@bellsouth.net>
9. Re: Emailing: what is new on http://diodon349.com/ today, 03-...
From: Floyd Sears <fsears@bellsouth.net>
10. Re: Emailing: what is new on http://diodon349.com/ today, 03-...
From: Vike2001@aol.com
11. [Fwd: House panel nixes VA enrollment fee plan - The Times, March 30, 2006]
From: Floyd Sears <fsears@bellsouth.net>
12. Fwd: Fw: HILLARY-OUS
From: Jack Hollinsworth <jackhollinsworth@yahoo.com>
13. The "http://www.tpc.int/sendfax.html" web page
From: Floyd Sears <fsears@bellsouth.net>
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Message: 1
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 14:07:00 -0500
From: "Jean D. Beard" <dale98@tampabay.rr.com>
Subject: Fw: DoD Says Too Many Retirees Using Tricare and That Intent of Rate Increases is to Drive People Out
DoD Says Too Many Retirees Using Tricare and That Intent of Rate Increases is to Drive People Out
Be sure to scroll down and read the letter from Col. (ret) John Vann.
Thanks John.
Charlie,
Re: Message for those now over 65: THIS IS YOUR ISSUE TOO!
The over 65ers, have been assisting in the defeat of the Tricare fee increase issue for sometime now. Daily fax, web-mail and any other way we can get through to all U.S. Legislators. Congrats on joining the over 65 gang.
"If It Weren't For The United States Military"
"There Would Be NO United States of America"
Jean
Jean D. Beard
Surviving Spouse of: Wiley M. Beard (USAF Ret.)
E-mail: dale98@tampabay.rr.com
Military Retiree Grass Roots Group (MRGRG) FL-11
The Brief story behind "MRGRG": http://mrgrg-ms.org/briefing-c.pdf
The Complete story behind "MRGRG": http://mrgrg-ms.org/
Outgoing e-mail checked by Norton AntiVirus 2005
----- Original Message -----
From: USDR Action Alerts
To: Jean D. Beard
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2006 10:48 AM
Subject: DoD Says Too Many Retirees Using Tricare and That Intent of Rate Increases is to Drive People Out
DoD Says Too Many Retirees Using Tricare and That Intent of Rate Increases is to Drive People Out
All -- Regarding DoD Health Services for retirees, the DoD is the enemy. If after reading the following from John Vann, who attended the HASC Military Personnel Subcommittee hearing yesterday, you are not madder than hell that Rumsfeld, Chu, and Winkenwerder's rational for increase the Tricare rates and fees is to drive retirees out of the system because too many retirees are using the system ... then I have serious doubts as to whether you can feel any pain or not.
HR 4949 which would block these increases by law now has 112 cosponsors after being introduced on 14 March, I suggest we all call, fax, visit, our Representatives District and DC offices for them to actively support HR4949 ... failure to do so should be considered the kiss of death at the polls in November, I don't care what else they might have done ... they are dead in the water and sinking if HR4949 does not become law.
Here is one link to get your Representative moving on this issue ...
Support HR 4949 - Military Retirees' Health Care Protection Act Introduced March 14, 2006 Click Here.
If that link does not work here is the URL ... http://capwiz.com/usdr/issues/alert/?alertid=8591236&type=CO
There are other organizations that likely have alerts for HR4949 ... USDR was the first on the streets with HR4949.
Message for those now over 65: THIS IS YOUR ISSUE TOO! Tricare for Life as second bill payer to Medicare is the next DoD target. If you don't believe that, then why are DoD and OMB cooking the books on where TFL dollars come from? DoD and OMB would have you believe TFL dollars come from DoD resources ... not so ... if I am not mistaken TFL dollars come directly from the General Fund. BTW, I am now among the Medicare+TFL group ... still here and still fighting.
Staffers (on BCC) -- Please advise your boss to consponsor AND ACTIVELY SUPPORT HR4949 ... I personally suggest that HR4949 be considered as an exception to the rules and be up or down voted on its own merits ... that way we will know how to vote in November.
Chet Edwards Staffers (on BCC) -- Please thank the Congressman for his very active support of veterans and military retirees. I wish all Representatives and Senators were even half as supportive as he has been. Possibly, he might be interested in fostering legislation which would fix TRICARE? I should be visiting Washington DC in late April or early May and would like to personally thank him for his leadership and superlative support.
Charlie Revie, LTC, USAR, Retired
USDR Legislative Director
Las Cruces, NM
In a message dated 3/30/2006 8:21:03 A.M. US Eastern Standard Time, VannJohnM writes:
Tom, I had met last year with Giles Strider (following a request from Charlie Revie related to our long-standing grass roots efforts) concerning badly needed improvements in TRICARE Standard that have never been made -- despite significant empty rhetoric from the current Administration about "a promise made is a promise kept." Have been working with nationwide grass roots efforts for about seven years concerning the needed fixes.
Yesterday's hearing, sitting listening to David Chu and Asst Secty Winkenwerder' s words concerning fee INCREASES, was extremely disturbing, and should be broadcast far and wide as representative of this Administration's jettisoning of those who served the longest, especially the Vietnam generation that will suffer most under the proposed fee increases.I left that hearing absolutely convinced that this Administration, and especially this Defense Department, is truly hostile toward military retirees.
Basically, Chu and Winkenwerder, in the House Armed Services Committee Personnel Subcommittee, explained DOD's plan to DRIVE OUT nearly a half million retirees from using TRICARE, the health care they EARNED as part of their DEFERRED COMPENSATION by their sacrifice and, still more importantly, by their reduced salaries. Retired pay is less compared to civil service pay, because free health care was promised. Now, retirees are left with neither the funds to pay for the heavy burdens of health care they face, but a huge increase in fees.
Chu actually complained to the Subcommittee that TOO MANY military retirees and their families were USING the health care they EARNED. That basic fact caused amazement on the part of many present, yet Chu persisted in complaining that he felt 80% of military retirees who work should use SOME OTHER employer's health care, not DOD's. I cannot begin to tell you the bitterness and disgust his comments engendered. Frankly, the man should be fired for his ill-advised comments.
Furthermore, neither DOD nor ANY of the testimony to date has reflected the major expenses that are already paid by retirees for their health care. At best Secretary Winkenwerder's testimony is badly misinformed, with Chu's still worse and extremely disingenuous and anti-military (while professing the opposite).
Military families under TRICARE Standard not only already pay for expensive health care supplements (sold by all military associations as essential to avoid catastrophes); the cost for a six day stay in a hospital for military retiree families under TRICARE Standard is TEN TIMES the cost to a federal civilian under FEHBP Blue Cross Blue Shield.
TRICARE Standard allowable reimbursement rates are over 25% lower on average than under FEHBP Blue Cross Blue Shield.
I could explain many other long standing ills of TRICARE Standard that have not been addressed should you or Giles or Rep Pelosi be interested in discussing them and providing a legislative solution. I also believe anyone who proposes basic legislative solutions to fix TRICARE, or to offer a reasonably alternative that is cost effective (TRICARE is not, providing money for bureaucrats and contractors, not the care we earned), will garner significant support among military families worldwide.
Failiure to address these issues, as explained by Admiral Ryan of the Military Coalition and General Matz of the Military Alliance yesterday, is highly likely to have an adverse effect on the volunteer force. This is truly a significant issue demanding action on Capitol Hill.
I know for one, I could NOT advise a young person to serve a career in the military today, and the primary reason is the BROKEN promises on health care, especially to the Vietnam generation --- a message now being absorbed by younger retirees and those Army soldiers and Marines serving repetitive tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere because of a military that is too small and overstretched.
Attached is a recent letter describing just one of many incidents I experienced with TRICARE this past year, trying to obtain urgent care in Sacramento. Though I did eventually hear from Mr. Gilbertson (VP of HealthNet) promising a written response, I have received none in over four months, though I did receive partial reimbursement for urgent care.
More importantly, after describing the undesirable treatment I received (indigent were treated better in California), the letter describes systemic issues and proposed solutions, and concludes with comments about Secretary Winkenwerder's actions that may be useful. Please feel free to use any of the information. I did not include the attachments because of the privacy related information shown on the forms, but would be glad to show the attachments to you or anyone else interested in helping fix TRICARE, and in stopping the discriminatory and potentially damaging proposed fee increases.
And, I would be happy to meet with any members of your party who would be interested in crafting badly needed legislation to fix TRICARE, not balance current readiness and costs of the Iraq war on the backs of those who already served this nation in Vietnam.
Best wishes, and thanks for your support.
John Vann
Colonel, USA-Ret
Fairfax, Va 22030
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Message: 2
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 13:15:42 -0600
From: Floyd Sears <fsears@bellsouth.net>
Subject: [Fwd: [mrgrg-nation-wide] DOD Says "Too Many People Using Tricare" : TRICARE fees--from Colonel John M. Vann]]
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Message: 3
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 16:14:46 -0500
From: "Jean D. Beard" <dale98@tampabay.rr.com>
Subject: Fw: Google Alert - "Military Retirees"
FYI ONLY
----- Original Message -----
From: Google Alerts
To: dale98@tampabay.rr.com
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2006 2:10 PM
Subject: Google Alert - "Military Retirees"
Google Alert for: "Military Retirees"
AMVETS: Congress Has Not Given the VA Sufficient Funds to Properly ...
PR Newswire (press release) - New York,NY,USA
... Our nation's military retirees have given so much to this country and deserve fair treatment." * Requiring returning troops to attend Transitional Assistance ...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Message: 4
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 14:45:50 -0800 (GMT-08:00)
From: saintjim@earthlink.net
Subject: Emailing: what is new on http://diodon349.com/ today, 03-30-06
Shipmates & Friends:
·
Here is what is
new on
http://diodon349.com/ today, 03-30-06
Date: 03/30/06
In the Conservative Corner under Illegal Immigration added:
In the Conservative Corner under Afghanistan added:
In the Conservative Corner under The Islamofascist Enemy added:
In Military & Veterans' Page - Information for Active Duty, Reserves and Veterans within Military Retiree Information added:
Jim Santos
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Message: 5
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 18:47:11 EST
From: Vike2001@aol.com
Subject: Re: Emailing: what is new on http://diodon349.com/ today, 03-...
I found another site that MIGHT be a good FREE FAX VIA WEB site... I've
used it, but, as of yet, have no confirmation of receipt... If anyone uses
it and finds out that it is a valid site, I'd sure appreciate getting the
confirmation
http://www.tpc.int/sendfax.html _ (http://www.tpc.int/sendfax.html
Morrie B.
C.S. CO
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Message: 6
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 16:51:02 -0800 (GMT-08:00)
From: saintjim@earthlink.net
Subject: Fw: Support HR 4949 - Military Retirees' Health Care Protection Act
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Message: 7
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 17:13:32 -0800 (PST)
From: James Ret <alamostation@yahoo.com>
Subject: Fwd: Military Health System Transforming to Address New Challenges
Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger.
Jim ;-}
Press Service <afisnews_sender@DTIC.MIL> wrote
:Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 17:44:00 -0500
From: Press Service <afisnews_sender@DTIC.MIL>
Subject: Military Health System Transforming to Address New Challenges
To: DEFENSE-PRESS-SERVICE-L@DTIC.MIL
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, March 30, 2006 - The Defense Department's Military Health System must transform to continue its commitment to protecting the health of its servicemembers and other beneficiaries, a top DoD official told Congressmen yesterday.
The armed forces have more than 275,000 servicemembers in Afghanistan, Iraq and other areas around the world, David S. C. Chu, undersecretary of Defense for personnel and readiness, said yesterday in prepared remarks before the House Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on military personnel.
"The department is firmly committed to protecting the health of these and all servicemembers before, during and after their deployment and (of) our other healthcare beneficiaries, who now number 9 million," he said.
Several changes in the military health system will make achieving this goal possible, he said. One of the biggest will address the rising costs of health care.
The military health system has essentially doubled in size in the past five years from about $19 billion in 2001 to $38 billion this year, he said. Officials estimate expenditures could reach $64 billion by 2015, he added.
"This rapid growth in cost clearly puts the sustainability of our health benefit at risk," Chu said. "The facts show that the expansion of Tricare, high health inflation, the reduction in beneficiary cost shares, and sharp increase of usage by our retirees under 65 is responsible for this growth."
Beneficiaries paid 27 percent of total health costs in 1995. Today they pay only 12 percent. The DoD proposes to bring this into better balance by increasing cost sharing for retirees under 65. After a two-year transition, beginning in fiscal 2009, these premium and co-pay increases would match the average percentage increase of the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program, he said. Additionally, the department is proposing changes to pharmacy co-payments for all beneficiaries except active-duty members. These changes would encourage use of mail order and military treatment facility pharmacy refills and generic products.
"We also ask that Congress clarify to those who oppose the department our legal authority to obtain federal pricing discounts for prescriptions obtained at retail pharmacies," he said.
The department expects to save about $735 million in fiscal 2007, if both premium and deductible changes as well as pharmacy program adjustments are implemented, he said. Between fiscal 2007 and 2011, expected savings total $11.2 billion.
DoD also has addressed internal efficiencies. "We have implemented a number of actions in the last several years designed to slow health care cost," he said.
A partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs and obtaining federal pricing for mail order and pharmacy services have contributed to this, Chu said. Consolidation of Tricare contracts, regions and contractors also has led to significant administrative savings.
New healthcare contracts use best-practice principles to enhance quality of care, emphasize patient safety, improve beneficiary satisfaction, and control private-sector costs, he said.
However, Congress-imposed restrictions on funding adversely affect military treatment facilities as well as private-sector care, he said. "We need the flexibility to move funds between direct-care and private-sector care," Chu said. This would allow DoD to set military treatment facilities' budgets based on workload output, not staff numbers, supply costs and other materials, he added.
DoD's medical health system also is revamping its infrastructure. Medical centers in the national capital area and San Antonio will be consolidated, he said. By contrast, some areas, such as Fort Belvoir, Va., will see significant enhancements.
"Another substantial change to the (military health system) infrastructure is the development of joint facilities as a result of increased collaboration with the VA," Chu said. "The most visible example today is at Naval Hospital Great Lakes."
There, an aging, oversized hospital is being replaced with a new outpatient facility at North Chicago VA Medical Center, he said.
Looking to the future, Chu said, DoD will adapt to new challenges by building on today's achievements. "The transformation process is designed to provide the armed forces with world-class operational-medicine capabilities while delivering the outstanding Tricare benefit to our beneficiaries," he said.
Biography:
David S. C. Chu [http://www.defenselink.mil/bios/chu_bio.html ]
Related Site:
Military Health System [http://www.ha.osd.mil/ ]
_______________________________________________________
NOTE: View the original version of this web page on DefenseLINK,
the official website of the U.S. Department of Defense, at
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2006/20060330_4663.html
====================================================
Visit the Defense Department's Web site "America Supports You" at http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/index.aspx , that spotlights what Americans are doing in support of U.S. military men and women serving at home and abroad.
====================================================
Visit the Defense Department's Web site for the latest news
and information about America's response to the war against terrorism: "Defend America" at http://www.DefendAmerica.mil.
====================================================
The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any
war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how
they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated
by their nation. -- George Washington
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Message: 8
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 21:03:38 -0600
From: Floyd Sears <fsears@bellsouth.net>
Subject: [Fw: Capwiz Bill Note for Mar 29, 2006 Military Retiree Medical Care]
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Message: 9
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 21:57:53 -0600
From: Floyd Sears <fsears@bellsouth.net>
Subject: Re: Emailing: what is new on http://diodon349.com/ today, 03-...
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Message: 10
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 23:13:08 EST
From: Vike2001@aol.com
Subject: Re: Emailing: what is new on http://diodon349.com/ today, 03-...
In a message dated 3/30/06 9:07:30 PM Mountain Standard Time,
fsears@bellsouth.net writes:
As you can see I'm suppose to get an e-mail conformation when the FAX is sent, and I should also get a FAX. I sent (e-mailed) the FAX about 15 minutes ago and nothing has happened yet. I'll let you know if I get anything.
I'm gonna try a bunch of them tomorrow just to see whether I can get a
response from any of our "representatives" out thar in D.C.... I didn't get that email confirmation, either... Maybe tomorrow...
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Message: 11
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 22:30:42 -0600
From: Floyd Sears <fsears@bellsouth.net>
Subject: [Fwd: House panel nixes VA enrollment fee plan - The Times, March 30, 2006]
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Message: 12
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 22:43:11 -0800 (PST)
From: Jack Hollinsworth <jackhollinsworth@yahoo.com>
Subject: Fwd: Fw: HILLARY-OUS
I thought it was funny. Jack H
If you have seen this before, feel free to laugh again.
Subject: HILLARY-OUS
Click on the below link to glimpse the future - - -
http://www.michaelhodges.com/missing.html
---------------------------------
HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE MILITARY THERE WOULD BE NO AMERICA
SAVE MONEY ON LONG DISTANCE. AS LOW AS 2.5 CENTS PER MIMUTE. CLICK ON THE BELOW "ULR" ADDRESS, SELECT BEST RATE CALULATOR AND FIGURE THE COST FOR YOUR SELF. START SAVING TODAY. Use the ULR below.
( http://ld.net/retired.mil ). Jack Hollinsworth
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Message: 13
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2006 04:16:32 -0600
From: Floyd Sears <fsears@bellsouth.net>
Subject: The " http://www.tpc.int/sendfax.html " web page
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<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mrgrg-ms-talk /