Military Officer - November 2007 - (Page 36)

washingtonscene under a spouse’s employer plan. Many employers already offer such cash payment plans; it’s just a matter of including TRICARE-eligibles in them. Another alternative is to enroll in TRICARE Prime, if it is available in your area. versus work for a civilian employer. There is a reason Congress has speciﬁed military retired pay, survivor beneﬁts, disability retired pay, and veterans’ disability compensation should not be offset by Social Security. The White House staff attendees expressed appreciation for the input and indicated military and veterans’ associations would be invited to participate with task forces to develop equitable implementation plans to compensate future disabled veterans for lost earnings and quality-oflife issues. Current disabled retirees would be grandfathered under current systems, and those disabled after Sept. 11, 2001, would be able to choose between current or new compensation systems. MOAA will be working hard to ensure positive legislative and policy outcomes. Walking the Disabled Walk White House plans quick action on Dole-Shalala fixes. O n two occasions in September, leaders from MOAA and selected other associations were invited to the White House to discuss plans for rapid legislative action on the recommendations offered by the recent Dole-Shalala commission on wounded warriors. Former Sen. Bob Dole, cochair of the commission, sat in on discussions, as did White House policy advisors. At the ﬁrst meeting, association leaders acknowledged the value of most of the commission recommendations but expressed strong concern on two fronts. First, disability, health, and other beneﬁts should not discriminate based on whether a servicemember’s disability was incurred in combat. The commission and White House staff in attendance gave assurance that is not their intent. Second, all expressed concern about the commission recommendation that a portion of disability compensation should end once a disabled servicemember attains eligibility for Social Security. A White House staff member indicated current disabled veterans would be grandfathered but noted many civilian beneﬁt programs have such Social Security offsets. In response, MOAA president Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., USN-Ret., and the other association leaders highlighted the unique nature of military service in defense of the country Pay $22 — or Switch? Patients have options besides paying higher copayments. I n September, a DoD pharmacy panel proposed moving selected allergy, asthma, and growth-stimulating medications to the third tier ($22 copayment). The panel also reviewed Veramyst, a new nasal steroid medication. Allergy drugs: Clarinex and Clarinex D are proposed to move to the third tier. Other allergy medications including Allegra, Allegra D, Semprex D, Zyrtec, and Zyrtec D will remain on the formulary for the lower $9 copayment. Additionally, the panel proposed including Claritin and Claritin D in TRICARE’s over-thecounter pilot program, under which these medications would be offered without any copayment. Asthma drugs: Zyﬂo is proposed to move to the third tier, leaving Singulair and Accolate available for $9. 36 MILITARY OFFICER NOVEMBER 2007

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

Military Officer - November 2007 Contents From the Editor President’s Page Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Chapters in Action Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Cover Story: Commanding the Corps With Love, From Home Financial Guidebook Financial Tuneups Banking on Your Time Pages of History MOAA Scholarship Recipients Faces of MOAA MOAA Scholarship Donors Member Books Advertising Index MOAA Calendar Sounding Taps MOAA Member Services Encore

Military Officer - November 2007

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