Military Officer - May 2007 - (Page 40)

washingtonscene 2008 COLA: Lowest in 30 Years? ■ The consumer price index (CPI), though rising recently, was still down 0.3 percent from October through February — the lowest number for that period in 30 years. That might mean a record-low 2008 COLA, but inflation could quickly turn around in the next seven months. The next quarter might give a clearer picture. More $22 Drugs Some pain, glaucoma, antidepressant, and sedative copayments to increase. Meet MOAA’s New Lobbyist MOAA welcomes Col. Phil Odom, USAF-Ret. O n March 22, a DoD panel proposed moving several pain, glaucoma, and antidepressant medications to the third tier ($22 copayment versus $3 or $9 for drugs on ﬁrst and second tier), along with some newer sedatives. Ultram ER (extended release) will be moved to the third tier with a 90-day implementation time. There are 38 other medications in this class that remain available at the lower copayments, including the immediate-release form of Ultram. Glaucoma drugs including Azopt, Betimol, Istalol, and Travatan will move to the third tier, while 18 medications in this class still will be available at the lower copayment. Among antidepressants, the Emsam patch will move to the third tier, leaving Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate available at lower copayments. Several newer brands of sedatives — Ambien CR (controlled release), Rozerem, and Sonata — also will move to the third tier. Ambien and Lunesta will remain on the lower copayment list, along with eight additional older drugs. However, a “prior-authorization” requirement is being proposed for ﬁrsttime use of all drugs in this class other than Ambien, which is the most commonly prescribed and cost-effective drug in this class (and which is scheduled to go generic in April for a $3 copayment). The prior-authorization requirement would not apply to patients who have had one of the other ﬁrst- or second-tier sleep agents prescribed in the past six months. M OAA is pleased to welcome Col. Phil Odom, USAF-Ret., as the newest member of its government relations team. He will have primary responsibility for survivor beneﬁts and tax-related issues, as well as Social Security. He’ll also cover general entitlements reform initiatives, which MOAA expects will be in the spotlight in coming years. Odom comes from a family with a long military tradition and has just completed a distinguished Air Force career encompassing more than 26 years of service. Prior to entering the Air Force, he served with the Peace Corps in the Philippines and worked as a legal researcher for the New Hampshire state legislature. An Air War College graduate, Odom has an extensive background in personnel program management, from base-level casualty programs to his ﬁnal Pentagon assignment as chief of Force Management Policy for the Air Force. In the interim, he served as a squadron commander, chief of Personnel Policy and Plans at HQ European Command, and chief of the Retirements and Separations Division at the Air Force Personnel Center. MOAA is thrilled to beneﬁt from Odom’s leadership, experience, and enthusiasm as the newest addition to its team. MO — Contributors are Col. Steve Strobridge, USAF-Ret., director; Col. Mike Hayden, USAFRet.; Col. Bob Norton, USA-Ret.; Cmdr. René Campos, USN-Ret.; Cmdr. John Class, USN-Ret.; Col. Ana Smythe, USMC-Ret.; Cass Vreeland; and Bret Shea, MOAA’s Government Relations Department. 40 MILITARY OFFICER M AY 2 0 0 7

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Military Officer - May 2007

Military Officer - May 2007 Contents From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Cover Story: Back Home Capt. David Porter, Pirate Hunter Where Valor Rests Emblems of Courage MOAA Member Services Pages of History Information Exchange Advertising Index Member Books MOAA Calendar MOAA Scholarship Donors Sounding Taps Encore

Military Officer - May 2007

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