TRICARE for Life, HR 270 and HR 208 Legislative Update

Legislative Update 2-09

TRICARE for Life - NOT on the Chopping Block

We have received numerous inquires about a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report. Many have claimed that TRICARE for Life (TFL) is at risk. The CBO report lists 115 options for reducing federal spending on health care, altering federal healthcare programs, and making substantive changes to the nation’s health insurance system.

As in the past, CBO reports for TFL increases in co-pays are not formal recommendations at this time. The suggestion for TRICARE for Life is an option, and is alarming! None of the options reported are formal recommendations. Too many of the options might affect military health care.

CBO provides this report every two years. We are concerned with legislation that might affect the military health readiness, and deny earned health benefits. We will continue to aggressively track this issue. Our discussion with other military associations and our coalition partners indicates a total consensus that currently there is immediate concern and this does deserves constant tracking. Along with our partners we will track this, and make sure Congress understands NRA does not support any increase fees for any retiree/reservist/Veteran health care program.

NRA Attends House Veterans Affairs Committee Roundtable

Over the last 30 days, NRA was invited to provide inputs to the following:

• 44th Presidential Transition Team – Veterans and Military issues and our legislative agenda.
• House Veterans Affairs Committee – asked for our Veterans issues, and our attendance to a roundtable discussion.

We did provide a detailed input, and did speak to your issues at both of these invitations. We will work your total force legislative issues with all committees during the 111th Congress – but, it will take your constant grassroots involvement to make the legislative agenda a reality. We ask that you consider contacting your Congressional delegation on the following bills we have worked in Washington:

• HR 270 (TRICARE Continuity of Coverage for National Guard and Reserve Families Act of 2009),
• HR 208 (National Guardsmen and Reservists Parity for Patriots Act.

These bills need your support with your Congressional delegation now. See our action center to provide your input to Congress.

Equipment for Navy and Navy Reserve

NRA is supporting top line funding increases for CVN-21, LPD-17, DDG 1000, and other CNO priorities. We actively support aircraft funding to sustain at least 10 carrier air wings. At this time reserve forces are 40% of deployed forces in OIF/OEF, to maintain an operational and strategic force we aggressively support C-40A, P-8A, and EF/A-18(Growler) for Reserve Component assignment and utilization.

Please see our total force legislative agenda, and contact your Congressional delegation through our action center.