Rethinking TRICARE Benefits The Spending Challenge
Admiral Roughead (Navy), General Conway, (Marine Corps) and Admiral Allen (Coast Guard) all took the spending challenge today, arguing that retired military officers and their families should have to pay more for their health care. According to CongressDaily:
The leaders of the three naval services on Monday argued for an increase in the fees retired military personnel and their families pay for health care, something Congress has refused to approve for more than a decade...all complained about the soaring costs of healthcare and said increased contributions by the retirees for their TRICARE coverage is overdue.
Currently, TRICARE for retirees charges no premium (and only a $150 deductible) under its standard plan, and a premium of just $230 per person (with no deductible) under the 'prime' plan. This is far too little to cover the programs costs.
Admiral Allen explained yesterday that he and his wife had just signed up for TRICARE Prime at a cost of only $465 and "something needs to be done about that." General Conway agreed, explaining that there has not been an adjustment in the retirees payments for TRICARE in two decades.
This is particularly troubling given the speed at which health care costs have grown over that time period.
Fortunately, the Congressional Budget Office has scored several options to help rein in TRICARE costs. One option, to introduce minimum out-of-pocket requirements under "TRICARE for Life" would save $40 billion through 2019. Another, to increase cost-sharing for certain military retirees, could save $20 billion.
And frankly, there is plenty more where that came from if we are willing to start looking at the health and retirement benefits of veterans, military officers, and federal employees. In general, the benefits received by those working for the federal government tend to far exceed those offered in the private sector.
Of course, we as a country have an obligation to take care of the brave men and women who put themselves in harm's way to protect us. But to get our debt under control and prioritize our spending, we're all going to have to play a part.
We thank Admiral Roughead, General Conway, and Admiral Allen for understanding that.
Responsible Budget
Part of being responsible is honoring one's word. We have been all through what military members were "promised" and how that pledge has been broken BY THE GOVERNMENT. On pain of going to jail, or worse yet dishonoring myself, I kept MY 20 plus year commitment to protect and defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. I don't blame anyone but myself but part of that cost to me was two failed marriages. Congress, stand up and honor the commitment you made to military members. Yes costs have gone up because of the trauma, physical and psychological, of the prolonged war YOU sent us to. Suck it up and do what is right!
Note everyone retires as an Admiral
Maybe the Admirals would gladly accept an increase in TRICARE premiums, but it may shock them to learn that not everyone retires as Flag Officer. An Admiral's retired pay is at least $4,000 per month. Ask the average retired E-7 about his retirement pay.
Wake Up Flag Officers
You want to send our young men and women into harms way, then be welling to pay the cost. If you have to give up a few more ships, planes and weapons system, then so be it. I do agree that flag officers pay too little for their Tricare, but not the troops and junior officers.
Tricare costs already skyrocketing
Tricare Healthcare Costs
It's great that the Admiral and the General think that their portions of Tricare deductible are too low.
Not everybody makes their retired pay and can afford higher costs. In this day and age where congress has been cutting pay for retiree's and their families, it's still hard for a lot of us to make it month to month. Even though we stayed in and retired out, a lot of us didn't have the high paying jobs during our working years. I am now totally disabled, and even with retired pay and Social Security Disability, I have it rough making it month to month. So Congress needs to take into account that not everyone is doing great after retirement. Let's be real and let's be sensible about costs of things in this day and age. Thank You!
Increasing Costs to Tricare For Life
Enlisted in 1959. The Armed Forces 'Promised' Free Health Care for :Life if I did 20 years.
I did 25. Then I had to pay for Tricare 'Prime'.
Then at age 65 I was kicked off base and couldn't use the MIlitary Treatment Facilitry and I was forced into Medicare. Now my 'Free for Life' medical care costs me $2,400 per year.
Retirees didn't get a pay raise for 2009 nor will we for 2010. Congress did.
My retirement pay is $6,000 Lower than someone retiring under today's pay scale.
Congress........ You can do better than running over the retirees.
I have been stonewalled by the VA going on 11 years now for damage to my body during the 25 years. I get to pay my own disability pay. Thank you Congress !
The VA has yet to order my Medical Record !
Congress........ You can do better than this !
TRICARE costs to retirees
Every year while I served on active duty, I received a letter that summarized my military compensation. This was an effort to show that, while I made less than my civilian coutnerparts, there were hidden benefits that added to what I would have had to pay if not in the military.
It included my salary, and then added on the other benefits I would receive, pro-rated for the year. Among them was the cost of lifetime health care.
Here's my (sarcastic) suggestion: ignore the recruiters and military leaders who for decades told us we would receive free medical care for life if we served a full career, and give us back the money that was the "hidden" benefit that justified our lower pay.
Yes, the "promise" was never a legal written contract. But those who argue that since it wasn't, the country can ignore it, are mistaken. In any case you can expect a legal challenge that will argue that lifetime health care coverage was at the time an accepted condition of employment, .
If nothing will be done by
If nothing will be done by the congress it will discourage the youngsters to join force. Those who are giving their whole life for the protection of country and country men should be given the proper share of their benefit. At the time of taking any employment if government promises or agrees to give certain benefits then at least to those who have joined the job on such conditions should be served with them. If later on government wants to make any changes in the policy it should be implemented for the people who will newly join the job.www.alert-1.com
TRI CARE COST AND SHARING THE BURDEN!
Generals and Admirals should pay more!
You should be able to purchase top of the Line Tricares or you can bottom out with standard!
Ie Ya get what ya Pay for!
Obama Wants to cut the Troops by 500,000 This is half of our military, this is just Insane as we have no jobs for them or their Familes and we don't even want to talk about their Health Care!
The troops must stay and the spending must stop!
November can not come quick enough!
SFC WHITE
Uncle Sam's Army Retired
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