This just in from the Air Force Retiree News Service:
Key elected officials oppose Tricare fee increases Key Congressional members have gone on record as opposing the proposed Department of Defense plans to impose large health fee increases to the under 65 years of age Tricare beneficiaries.
According to an announcement by the Military Officer Association of America (MOAA), House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and the Committee’s senior Democrat, Ike Skelton (D-Mo), recently sent a joint letter to Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle (R-IA) saying they don’t support such increases and want more money in the defense budget to make up the shortfall in this and many other areas.
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Your cards and letters make a difference, folks! As do our military associations, I’m sure.
And there’s more:
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In a related area, according to an announcement by the National Association of the Uniformed Services (NAUS), Representatives Walter B. Jones (R-NC) and Chet Edward (D-TX) will introduce a bill that will restrict the current laws that permit the secretary of defense broad discretion to increase health care deductibles, co-payments and enrollment fees for military beneficiaries. The bill will specify that only Congress will have the authority to increase Tricare fees.
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I support this President and this SecDef, but the administration really stirred up a hornet’s nest on this one. Maybe they’ll see the light now (if you’ll pardon the mixed metaphors).