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From the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), forwarded by the Super Sabre Society:
If you've been concerned about losing your TRICARE for LIFE (TFL) next week - or the week after - read what just came in from MOAA. If you don't have time to read it, know that it should be fully funded, at least in the next budget. But watch these legislators, you don't have to be paranoid to think they might stab you in the back. Bud Day and others have worked too hard get what was promised to us.
TRICARE for LIFE - IMPORTANT!!!!
Published by Col. Steve Strobridge, USAF-Ret, under Health Care Benefits, Health Care Legislation, Health Care News, Health Care Questions
We've received a ton of inquiries from members who received a chain message with this subject line that talks about a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) idea to jack up fees for TRICARE for Life (TFL) beneficiaries.
The content is based on truth, but it's about 6 months out of date and is no longer relevant. If you receive the message from someone, please DON'T forward it on, but refer them to this answer about it. Unfortunately, things sent out on the internet acquire lives of their own that go on long after the origin has been overcome by events.
The message refers to a CBO options list that was prepared last year. It provided a list of options (not recommendations) that government leaders might consider if they wanted to increase or cut spending in various areas of government - health care in this case.
The CBO puts out this kind of list after every congressional election. In most cases, nothing comes of the recommendations - at least those on military health care.
Worries that such initiatives would show up in President Obama's budget proved unfounded. The new budget proposes fully funding TRICARE for the first time in four years - with no proposed benefit reductions or fee increases. That said, we do think it's only a matter of time before there are new efforts to cut back on military health care spending - including TRICARE For Life.
The most likely immediate challenge will come on Medicare, which is costing significantly more than current payroll taxes can sustain. We expect that fixing this situation will be a major focus of the Administration and Congress in the coming few years. MOAA will be tracking that issue closely to ensure any changes reflect fairness for all.
In the longer term, we believe Congress will eventually try to shift more costs to beneficiaries for TFL, most likely in the form of an enrollment fee, which MOAA doesn't support. We believe strongly that Congress did the right thing in enacting TFL in 2001, and that nothing has changed during the last 7 years of war to make military retirees any less deserving of this crucial health coverage. If and when any such proposals arise, MOAA and our members will lead the charge to ensure it's protected.
In the meantime, we'll continue to remind the administration that TFL is an earned benefit and an important retention tool. And when the time comes, we'll be asking for your support in writing your legislators to help preserve these important earned benefits.
If you've been concerned about losing your TRICARE for LIFE (TFL) next week - or the week after - read what just came in from MOAA. If you don't have time to read it, know that it should be fully funded, at least in the next budget. But watch these legislators, you don't have to be paranoid to think they might stab you in the back. Bud Day and others have worked too hard get what was promised to us.
TRICARE for LIFE - IMPORTANT!!!!
Published by Col. Steve Strobridge, USAF-Ret, under Health Care Benefits, Health Care Legislation, Health Care News, Health Care Questions
We've received a ton of inquiries from members who received a chain message with this subject line that talks about a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) idea to jack up fees for TRICARE for Life (TFL) beneficiaries.
The content is based on truth, but it's about 6 months out of date and is no longer relevant. If you receive the message from someone, please DON'T forward it on, but refer them to this answer about it. Unfortunately, things sent out on the internet acquire lives of their own that go on long after the origin has been overcome by events.
The message refers to a CBO options list that was prepared last year. It provided a list of options (not recommendations) that government leaders might consider if they wanted to increase or cut spending in various areas of government - health care in this case.
The CBO puts out this kind of list after every congressional election. In most cases, nothing comes of the recommendations - at least those on military health care.
Worries that such initiatives would show up in President Obama's budget proved unfounded. The new budget proposes fully funding TRICARE for the first time in four years - with no proposed benefit reductions or fee increases. That said, we do think it's only a matter of time before there are new efforts to cut back on military health care spending - including TRICARE For Life.
The most likely immediate challenge will come on Medicare, which is costing significantly more than current payroll taxes can sustain. We expect that fixing this situation will be a major focus of the Administration and Congress in the coming few years. MOAA will be tracking that issue closely to ensure any changes reflect fairness for all.
In the longer term, we believe Congress will eventually try to shift more costs to beneficiaries for TFL, most likely in the form of an enrollment fee, which MOAA doesn't support. We believe strongly that Congress did the right thing in enacting TFL in 2001, and that nothing has changed during the last 7 years of war to make military retirees any less deserving of this crucial health coverage. If and when any such proposals arise, MOAA and our members will lead the charge to ensure it's protected.
In the meantime, we'll continue to remind the administration that TFL is an earned benefit and an important retention tool. And when the time comes, we'll be asking for your support in writing your legislators to help preserve these important earned benefits.
