New health care law will not touch TRICARE
March 22, 2010 by Da-Chief
Filed under Corpsman.com News, Military Family, Retired Veteran News, Seperated Vets News, Vets Issues
Tricare
I know this is what they say now, but until it’s in writing.. I dunno.. This whole fiasco I don’t know who to believe.
Trying to squelch a persistent rumor that a health reform bill sponsored by Democrats would cut Tricare benefits for military retirees, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee vows to introduce legislation that explicitly exempts defense programs from any new health care requirements.
That would include health benefits for service members and their families, military retirees and their families, and employees of nonappropriated-fund activities such as military exchanges.
This is from NavyTimes, I know it is a hot button issue. What do you think?
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/03/military_health_care_reform_032210w/
Be clean in your comments folks.
Da-Chief
I have a veteran health suggestion for your blog – please send me an email when you have a moment. Thanks – Doug, USN Veteran
I am a 70+ year old retired member of the military community. I cringe when I read news items rumor and forecasts of potential changes in the health care programs available to service members and retirees. Since my retirement in 1971 I witnessed an erosion of the “promised health care for you and your family for life” to only the member could be treated in a base medical facility, to care only on a Space Available program to CHAMPUS. The current Tri-Care seems to be the best situation we've had. It would be not only a significant loss to the Military members and their families, but the breaking of a promise given and implied when we agreed to re-enlist. Very few if any current members of Congress have Military background. I question if they realize what was asked of us – combat duty, isolated duty sites, extended separations from our families, etc. All with the promise that we would be taken care of once we finished our military careers. My situation is pretty secure. I'm well into my years and most any change will not impact me for long. But I am concerned for those who have followed me/ Will they enjoy the realization that they gave, and are now getting back? I can only hope so. Let's see if the Chairman can get it done. Somehow we need to keep the feet of out politicians to the fire to keep their promises. By the way, I am a proud former U. S. Navy Hospital Corpsman. I attended Corps School at Bainbridge in 1952. I later trained as an FMF Corpsman at Camp Pendleton, graduating in December '52. I served with the 1st MarDiv in Korea from Jan 53 to Mar 54. I then was assigned to an MSTS Ship, (USNS Gen. M. L. Howzie), and participated in Operation Passage To Freedom off the coast of Viet Nam. For personal reasons, I finished my 20 year military career in the Air Force, retiring as an E7.. I have many fond memories of my Navy Corpsman experience, and today have many close friends that were Marines who served during those same years. My personal experience has been that as soon as a Marine and a Corpsman meet -, be they active duty, retired military or former military -, a bond is immediately sealed. I believe the camaraderie between Corpsman and Marines is unsurpassed by any other two groups any where, any time. Thanks two one of my two HM2 Grandsons, both now with the 1st Marines, I was able to find this sight, The Army and the Air Force have their Medics. They, too, are well trained and very capable. I applaud there skills and ability. Many have been battle tested much like FMF Corpsmen. BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE HOSPITAL CORPS. AND I AM PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A MEMBER!!!
George M. MSgt USAF/Ret
Military Retirees have paid their premiumsnnnMilitary retirees have paid their premiums by time and service rendered. Although budget items are of great concern, how do you take or cut from those who already paid. In many circumstances, the price they have paid is far more then the benefits they have earned and are entitled to. nnnThere are areas in TRICARE that the DoD can work to reduce the overall budget and at the same time, not hurt the beneficiary. TRICARE Standard is by far the best plan for retires vs. Prime, this is a good starting place for the DoD to consider. Even though TRICARE Standard is a good place for the beneficiary, they still need a TRICARE Supplemental Insurance Plan http://www.tricaresupplement.us/index.php.
Military Retirees have paid their premiumsnMilitary retirees have paid their premiums by time and service rendered. Although budget items are of great concern, how do you take or cut from those who already paid. In many circumstances, the price they have paid is far more then the benefits they have earned and are entitled to. nnThere are areas in TRICARE that the DoD can work to reduce the overall budget and at the same time, not hurt the beneficiary. TRICARE Standard is by far the best plan for retires vs. Prime, this is a good starting place for the DoD to consider. Even though TRICARE Standard is a good place for the beneficiary, they still need a TRICARE Supplemental Insurance Plan http://www.tricaresupplement.us/index.phpn