Military Officer - July 2007 - (Page 31)

washingtonscene Full House and key Senate panel put upgrades and protections for health care, pay, concurrent receipt, and SBP on the table in approving FY 2008 Defense Authorization Bill. L E G I S L AT I V E N E W S T H AT A F F E C T S Y O U Measured Progress M ay was a hectic month Military pay raise — Both bills would for the House and Senate authorize a military pay raise of 3.5 percent Armed Services commit- for 2008 versus the 3-percent pay raise tees, as they approved proposed in the defense budget. The House their separate versions would require military raises to be one-half of the FY 2008 Defense Authorization percentage point larger than the average Bill (H.R. 1585 and S. 1547, respectively). American’s each year until 2012. The defense bill is the primary legislaCombat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) — Each bill would extend CRSC tive vehicle of the year for any changes in personnel, compensation, eligibility to servicememand beneﬁt programs. bers forced by combat Shortly after the House wounds into medical retirecommittee ﬁnished its work ment before attaining 20 MOAA years of service. The Senate on H.R. 1585 in May, the is workfull House adopted it by an ing with a committee would cover all medical retirees with overwhelming 397-27 vote. number of combat- or operations-reThe Senate committee senators lated injuries. The House approved its version May 25. The full Senate is expected to prepare bill would apply only to to consider it in late June, additional those with at least 15 years when additional amendof service and at least a 60amendments will be considered. percent combat-related disments to ability rating. Key actions so far include: TRICARE fee increases — Survivor Benefit Plan consider. (SBP) — The House-apBoth bills would reject the large fee hikes proposed by proved bill would authothe administration, with rize SBP-eligible survivors the House being more explicit in whose sponsors died of service-connectbarring any fee increases at all before ed causes a special survivor indemnity alSept. 30, 2008. lowance of $40 a month, beginning Oct. 1, Pharmacy programs — The House bill 2008 (see separate article on page 36). It would bar any increase in pharmacy coalso would require the Defense Finance payments before Sept. 30, 2008. Each bill and Accounting Service to simplify SBP has a provision calling for drug companies recoupment processes. to provide TRICARE greater discounts on TRICARE provider access —The Senate drugs sold through retail pharmacies. bill would require the Pentagon to conJ U LY 2 0 0 7 Defense Bill: What’s the timeline? ■ As this column went to press, the full Senate was planning to consider its version of the bill in late June. Then House and Senate leaders will enter negotiations to resolve differences between the House- and Senatepassed bills. A final resolution likely won’t come until October or later. MILITARY OFFICER 31

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

Military Officer - July 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: In Focus After the Kim Dynasty Animal House Paying Tribute MOAA Member Services Pages of History Faces of MOAA Information Exchange Advertising Index MOAA Scholarship Donors MOAA Calendar Sounding Taps Encore

Military Officer - July 2007

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