From: FRA NewsBytes [Newsbytes@fra.org]
Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2010 00:28
To: fra@fra367.org
Subject: FRA NewsBytes - 03-26-10
In this week's NewsBytes:
New Health Care Law Has No Impact on TRICARE and VA Coverage
Deadline for Reimbursement Rate Fix Still Looms
FRA Testifies Before House Armed Services and MilCon/VA Subcommittees
Happy Birthday, Chiefs!


New Health Care Law Has No Impact on TRICARE and VA Coverage
Sweeping health care reform legislation was signed into law this week and there has been considerable speculation about how the measure will impact TRICARE beneficiaries. Although the law, as originally passed, does not specifically reference TRICARE programs, the legislation will not directly impact military and veterans' health care programs.  

To affirm that TRICARE meets the requirement for individual health care coverage, the House unanimously passed "The TRICARE Affirmation Act" (H.R. 4887) sponsored by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Ike Skelton (Mo.). Senator Richard Burr (N.C.), ranking member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, successfully amended the so-called "fix it bill" (H.R. 4872) to clarify that VA health programs and TRICARE are qualifying coverages under the new health care law.  The "fix it bill" passed in both the House and Senate and is expected to be signed into law by President Obama.  

Another provision of the new law extends health care coverage to children up to age 26. Rear Admiral Christine Hunter, deputy director of TRICARE Management Activity, advised FRA that TRICARE is also unaffected by this provision of health care reform and TRICARE will continue to cover eligible dependent children up to the age of 21, or up to age 23 if enrolled full time at an accredited institution of higher education and is reliant on the sponsor for more than 50 percent of their financial support.  

Representative Martin Heinrich (N.M.) has introduced "The TRICARE Dependent Coverage Extension Act" (H.R. 4923), a bill that would extend TRICARE coverage for dependent children to the maximum age of 26. FRA supports this initiative and urges shipmates to use the FRA Action Center at www.fra.org to ask their Representative to support this bill.


Deadline for Reimbursement Rate Fix Still Looms
In related health care news, the effective date (April 1, 2010) for a 21-percent cut to reimbursement rates for Medicare and TRICARE providers draws closer.  The Senate passed legislation (H.R. 4213) that would delay the cuts until January 1, 2011, but unless the measure is also passed by the House and signed by the President, these reimbursement cuts could negatively impact thousands of shipmates and others who depend on these programs.  Members are urged to use the FRA Action Center at www.fra.org to ask their U.S. Representative to pass this important legislation immediately.


FRA Testifies Before House Armed Services and MilCon/VA Subcommittees
FRA's National Executive Director (NED) Joe Barnes testified before the House Armed Services' Personnel Subcommittee this week on behalf of FRA and as co-chair of The Military Coalition (TMC). Barnes and four other TMC representatives addressed top legislative priorities, as did witnesses from the Gold Star Wives and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

The testimony addressed a broad range of active, guard and Reserve, retiree, survivor and military family issues, including health care concerns, end strengths, stress on the force, military pay, PCS benefits, military recruiting, Reserve retirement, gray area retiree benefits, wounded warrior programs, Post-9/11 education benefits, concurrent receipt, the SBP/DIC offset, Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA) reform, family readiness, MWR programs and commissaries.  

FRA's Director of Legislative Programs (DLP) John Davis also testified this week before the House Military Construction/Veterans Affairs (MilCon/VA) Appropriations Subcommittee. FRA asked panel members to ensure adequate care for wounded troops, their families and survivors, as well prompt adjudication of disability claims; access to quality health care, support and benefits; medical and prosthetic research and a "seamless transition" for veterans transitioning from DoD to the VA for care. Davis also expressed FRA's concern about the growing backlog of unresolved disability claims at the VA, problems associated with disbursement of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, and the reduction in the military construction budget.

FRA's full statements are available at www.fra.org.


Happy Birthday, Chiefs!
The Navy rate of Chief Petty Officer was established on April 1, 1893, and the Coast Guard created the CPO grade on May 18, 1920.  FRA salutes Chiefs from both services, who are recognized as the hands-on leaders among enlisted personnel.

To share your thoughts about the Chiefs' birthday, visit www.fra.org/discuss and click the "History and Heritage" link.
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FRA is celebrating its 85 ^th  anniversary and is   the oldest and largest association representing the interests of current and former Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel. If you are not a member and are eligible, please join FRA at www.fra.org. The larger the membership base, the louder your voice is heard on Capitol Hill!