Military Officer - December 2006 - (Page 10)

fromthepresident Ready for More MOAA’s legislative achievements in 2006 keep your association motivated to continue ﬁghting and winning more battles for servicemembers and their families in 2007. T his year has gone by quickly, so let’s pause to put some events in perspective. Military servicemembers won several important legislative victories, including beating back TRICARE fee increases for retirees under age 65 and achieving better health coverage for drilling Guard and Reserve members and their families. But we didn’t make the progress we’d hoped for on other issues, including Survivor Beneﬁt Plan (SBP) ﬁxes, a higher pay raise for currently serving forces, more equitable compensation for disabled retirees, and upgrades to the Montgomery GI Bill. After battling every day on these issues for years on end, it leaves a bitter taste when badly needed ﬁxes don’t materialize. But MOAA will have new opportunities to make our case to the next Congress. If your lobbyists were prone to give up after their ﬁrst, second, or third legislative effort on a particular initiative, we’d never have gained victories on TRICARE For Life, concurrent receipt, elimination of the age-62 SBP “widow’s tax,” pay and beneﬁt upgrades for currently serving members, COLA protections, and so many other items over the years. We’ll be back with the same sense of urgency in 2007, picking up the ﬁght on both offense and defense. We expect another push by the administration for large TRICARE fee increases, and when it happens we’ll demand the administration acknowledge the reality that military people have paid decades of heavy premiums — in service and sacriﬁce — over MILITARY OFFICER DECEMBER 2006 and above their copayments, deductibles, and enrollment fees. We’ll also be back to make the case on military manpower levels, pay rates, survivor beneﬁts, and equitable care and compensation for those disabled in service. To ensure MOAA can sustain its clout in Washington and ability to serve you, membership remains a primary focus. We will continue to educate ofﬁcers about why MOAA membership is in their best interests. That includes working more closely with family and spouse groups like Operation Homefront/CinCHouse .com. And most important, your positive comments about MOAA to friends and colleagues will help grow our ranks. We’re also offering a free, one-year membership to any active, Guard, or Reserve ofﬁcer you know. (See page 9 for more information.) MOAA’s headquarters staff and I wish you and your family a happy holiday season. We appreciate your membership and hope you’ll join us and our families in pausing to express gratitude for this great nation — and especially for those who go in harm’s way to ensure the safety of us all. — Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., USN-Ret. PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT 10

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

From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Cover Story: How to Fund the Future Martial Lore Good Night, Sleep Tight Mixed Review Information Exchange Advertising Index Member Books MOAA Calendar Sounding Taps MOAA Member Services

Military Officer - December 2006

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