Military Officer - March 2006 - (Page 28)

washingtonscene MOAA thinks this is only the ﬁrst round of the cost-shifting effort and that DoD is likely to seek a TRICARE For Life (TFL) enrollment fee and deductible, among other things, in the future. The vast majority of the savings associated with these proposals comes from the assumption that the fee increases would drive 600,000 retirees out of TRICARE. Winkenwerder, asked whether DoD would propose additional fee increases if that level of migration and savings doesn’t materialize (as we believe it won’t), indicated that might be considered if the assumptions prove wrong. This is the most serious threat to military beneﬁts in years. The threat is immediate, because Congress will consider the issue during budget resolution debate in March. MOAA members who want to protect their current and future health beneﬁts need to sign, stamp, and mail the postcards on the cover of this magazine now to urge Congress to reject these proposals. Then follow up on that mailing by using MOAA’s toll-free hot line to Capitol Hill, (866) 272-6622. Ask to be connected to your legislator’s ofﬁces and tell them you want them to reject health fee increases for military retirees. Why Fee Hikes Are Off-Base Here are the top seven reasons why the administration-proposed health fee hikes don’t make sense: ■ Comparison with corporate practices is inappropriate. Military beneﬁts must far exceed civilian beneﬁts, to offset decades of extraordinarily arduous military service conditions. ■ Military people already paid huge premiums in service and sacriﬁces that far exceed payments by any civilian. ■ Increases are grossly disproportionate. The proposed 300 percent to 400 percent fee increases are 10 times the 31 percent increase in inﬂation (and military retired pay) since 1995. ■ The nation has greater obligations to military retirees than corporations do to their employees. In demanding such commitments, the government assumes a reciprocal obligation to provide beneﬁts commensurate with their extraordinary sacriﬁces. This is a practical as well as moral obligation. Mid-career military losses can’t be replaced the way civilians can. ■ Eroding career military beneﬁts undermines retention and readiness. Today’s troops are highly conscious of Congress’ actions toward those who preceded them in service. Reducing military retirement beneﬁts would be penny-wise and pound-foolish when recruiting is already a problem and an overstressed force is at increasing retention risk. ■ TRICARE needs ﬁxing ﬁrst. TRICARE is one of the lowest-paying plans in the country and imposes administrative requirements beyond those of other plans. DoD-Proposed TRICARE Fee Increases for Retirees Under Age 65 FY 06 Prime enrollment fee FY 07 $500/1,000 $350/700 $275/550 $150/300 $100/200 $75/150 $225/450 $175/350 $175/350 $5/15 $0/9 FY 08 $700/1,400 $475/950 $325/650 $280/560 $200/400 $140/280 $280/560 $185/370 $185/370 FY 09** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** Officer* Enlisted* (E-7 and above) Enlisted* (E-6 and below) Standard enrollment fee $230/460 $230/460 $230/460 $0 $0 $0 $150/300 $150/300 $150/300 $3/9 $3/9 Officer* Enlisted* (E-7 and above) Enlisted* (E-6 and below) Standard deductible Officer* Enlisted* (E-7 and above) Enlisted* (E-6 and below) Retail TMOP Pharmacy copayment (for all beneficiaries except active duty members) NOTES: *The first number is for single members, the second is for families. **Rates for FY 2009 and beyond would be increased by using the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan rates of inflation. The first number is for generic drugs, the second is for brand-name drugs on DoD’s drug formulary list. The plan would eliminate any copayment for generic formulary drugs ordered through the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy (TMOP). 28 MILITARY OFFICER MARCH 2006

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Military Officer - March 2006

Military Officer - March 2006 Contents From the Editor President’s Page Call For Board Nominations Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum MOAA Member Services Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Live It Up! Top Picks On the Road Again Destination: Arizona By the Numbers Cover Story: One Clean Shot From Combat to Congress Pages of History Information Exchange Advertising Index MOAA Calendar Sounding Taps Encore

Military Officer - March 2006

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