No retirees' Tricare fee hikes - for now

Since 03-22-06

From: Waspscpo@aol.com [mailto:Waspscpo@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 6:51 AM
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Subject: Fw: Re: No retirees' Tricare fee hikes - for now

In a message dated 3/22/2006 9:05:24 AM Eastern Standard Time, hmriley@cox.net writes:

Subj: No retirees' Tricare fee hikes - for now (Times Staff Writer Rick Maze)

NOW LET'S FOCUS ON "KEEP OUR PROMISE TO AMERICA'S MILITARY RETIREES

ACT"
Date: 3/22/2006 9:05:24 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: hmriley@cox.net
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Sent from the Internet
                                                                                                                      
Troops, Spouses, Widows, and Friends,
 
According to the Military Times piece by Rick Maze, DoD has accepted a TRICARE  Fee increase defeat for THIS YEAR...individuals, groups, military organizations (MOAA has been a leader) have all spoken with one voice and it has been heard loud and clear.

 
This is the first time in 10 years I have seen military retirees, spouses, and widows fight together as a single force........while this particular TRICARE Fee increase didn't impact all retirees, all retirees fought as if it did..........that's what we have been missing over the years.
 
If we would mount the same concerted, aggressive, and focused fight for HR-602 "The Keep Our Promise To  America's Military Retirees Act", it would move from committee to floor of the US House of Representatives for a vote. 

Just as the TRICARE fee increase, HR-602 impacts aged retirees differently, however, it does provide additional options for retiree medical care and in the event DoD is ever successful with TRICARE fee increases, there will be a need for additional options. 

HR 602 adds a measure of  benefit to all military retirees, spouses, and widows.  Let's continue our fax, email, phone call, blitz  in support of HR 602 using the schedule Floyd Sears and Jean Beard has already prepared and you have a copy. 

I personally believe we should divert and focus on the Committees where HR 602 lies dormant.  The House Armed Services Committee should be the initial target with other committees (Committees on Government Reform, Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce) should follow.

I have started with Chairman (Rep Duncan Hunter - fax 202-225-0235) and Ranking Member (Rep Ike Skelton - fax 202-225-2695) of the House Armed Services Committee.  They can also be reached by phone...call using toll free 1-866-272-6622.  Without committee action, the Bill will die
 
If you can't support HR 602, please don't oppose.
 
Harry Riley, COL, USA, Ret

"The bedrock of our very "freedom and liberty" rests on the love of Christ and sacrifice of our warriors and spouses." 

Take a look at www.presidentbushblog.com
 
See Destin, FL live at http://www.destinpasslive.com
 
March 21, 2006

No retirees’ Tricare fee hikes — for now

http://www.navytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1633691.php

By Rick Maze
Times staff writer

21 March 2006

In a major concession, the Defense Department has told Tricare contractors to cancel plans for an Oct. 1 increase in health care fees for military retirees under age 65.

Defense officials have not given up on their basic proposal, which calls for fee hikes of as much as $1,500 a year for working-age retirees using the military health care system. But they now seem to recognize that fierce opposition from military and veterans’ groups and growing concern in Congress have made an Oct. 1 effective date for the increases virtually impossible. 

Last week, the Republican chairman and Democratic ranking member of the Senate Armed Services personnel panel promised military associations they would not support the fee increases until an independent audit of the military health care system is completed to determine if there are other ways to cut increasing health care costs.

Additionally, the Republican chairman and ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee have announced they oppose the Tricare fee increases, and a bipartisan bill was introduced in the House to block any increases without specific congressional approval.

That bill, sponsored by Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Texas, and Walter Jones, R-N.C., already has 77 cosponsors.

“It is just recognition of reality,” Steve Strobridge of the Military Officers Association of America said about the Pentagon’s message to Tricare contractors. “The Department of Defense really didn’t have a choice.”

“That is great news,” said Joyce Raezer of the National Military Family Association. “We had hoped Congress would send a message to DoD to slow this thing down. They went too fast.”

The Pentagon’s proposed fee increases, still being reviewed by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, would increase enrollment fees, copayments and deductibles for military retirees under the age of 65 and their families. Increases would be based on pay grade, and would apply to both Tricare Prime and Tricare Standard, with a maximum increase of $1,500 a year.

Defense officials have defended their proposal as necessary to hold down escalating expenses so health care does not squeeze higher budget priorities such as weapons modernization.