Urgent -Military Retirees please look at this

[Aguajera]

Please excuse my posting this here but I think it needs publication and support.

MOAA Legislative Update: TRICARE Fee Bill Needs Support


February 06, 2009

TRICARE Fee Bill Needs Support. Representatives Chet Edwards (D-TX) and Walter Jones (R-NC) have reintroduced their bipartisan Military Retirees’ Health Care Protection Act (H.R. 816) which would bar the Pentagon from increasing health fees for military retirees under age 65. Now they need your help in asking your legislators to join them in cosponsoring it.
New Panel Examines VA Compensation A special committee has been convened to advise the VA Secretary on updating the way the VA disability compensation system addresses quality of life issues, transition payments, and rating schedules.
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TRICARE Fee Bill Needs Support.

Reps. Chet Edwards (D-TX) and Walter Jones (R-NC) this week jointly reintroduced their Military Retirees’ Health Care Protection Act (H.R. 816) which would bar the Defense Department from unilaterally increasing military TRICARE enrollment fees, copayments, and other fees.

Under their legislation, only Congress would have that authority.

Edwards and Jones have championed this legislation for several years, and have been joined by hundreds of their colleagues who signed on as cosponsors of their bill. Their effort, along with the resistance of top Armed Services Committee leaders, is a big reason why Congress has rejected repeated Pentagon proposals to double or triple TRICARE fees for retirees under age 65 and increase pharmacy copays for all beneficiaries who purchase medications through TRICARE’s retail or mail-order pharmacy systems.

“I hope the new administration will not request the same premium increases as the last, but this legislation will allow us to remove any temptation,” Edwards said in announcing the newly reintroduced bill. “We cannot attract the best and brightest to fight our war on terrorism in the years ahead if they see us breaking faith with those who served in years past.”

“This legislation is about offering protection for the men and women who are willing to protect our nation from its enemies, and keeping promises to those who have promised to put themselves in harm’s way when called upon,” Rep. Jones agreed. “The families of our armed forces deserve consistent health care benefits.”

MOAA and The Military Coalition strongly endorse H.R. 816 and are most grateful these two champions for their leadership.

Please urge your U.S. representative to sign on as a cosponsor of this important legislation
Click here please MOAA

Nelson Ortiz
PSWSFA

[Mike Avery]

Thanks Nelson. I'm on it.

[SANTEES TOY]

thanks Nelson Done

[Lonnie Johnson]

Thanks for the heads up Nelson. Hoyer got my message...

Lonnie

[Steve00]

Thanks for the heads up. Just sent mine to Rob Wittman, my congressman here in the VA's Northern Neck.

Steve

[Riggerdave]

Will do today!

Dave