From: FRA NewsBytes [NewsBytes@fra.org]
Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2010 3:07 AM
To: fra@fra367.org
Subject: FRA NewsBytes  06-04-10
In this week's NewsBytes:
Urge Senators to Act on Doc Fix and Concurrent Receipt Improvements
House Passes and Senate Panel Approves NDAA
QRMC Meeting at FRA NHQ
President Signs the VA Affirmation Act
Senate Panel Discusses Agent Orange Reform


Urge Senators to Act on Doc Fix and Concurrent Receipt Improvements
Before the Memorial Day recess, the House passed legislation (H.R. 4213) that would delay the 21-percent physician reimbursement cuts that took effect on June 1, 2010, until January 1, 2012. The Senate is expected to vote on this legislation next week. TRICARE and Medicare will delay their processing of reimbursements, giving Congress time to resolve the matter - at least temporarily. This is the third deadline extension for the so-called "doc fix" this year and FRA is concerned that many physicians will stop accepting Medicare and TRICARE patients if the cuts take effect.

The bill has been amended to also expand the concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation. The measure would authorize service members who are medically retired with less than 20 years of service (Chapter 61 retirees) and have a disability rating of 90 to 100 percent to receive both payments, without offset, starting on January 1, 2011. The following year concurrent receipt would be expanded to those with 70- to 80-percent disability ratings.

These are high priority issues for FRA and members are urged use the FRA Action Center (www.fra.org) to ask their Senators to resolve the ongoing threat to doctor reimbursement rates and support concurrent receipt improvements.

Hot Topic: How will further delays in correcting the reimbursement rate problem affect you. Visit www.fra.org/hottopics to share your views.

House Passes and Senate Panel Approves NDAA
The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) approved its version of the FY 2011 Defense Authorization bill last week, sending it to the Senate floor for consideration. The still-unnumbered bill does NOT seek TRICARE fee or copay increases for retirees; authorizes TRICARE beneficiaries to purchase coverage for dependent children up to age 26; a 1.4-percent active duty pay increase, which is equals the Employment Cost Index (ECI) and the Administration's request;  a monthly stipend for wounded warrior caregivers equal to those provided by the VA; and $30 million in Impact Aid, $5 million in assistance to schools impacted by base realignment and closure (BRAC) initiatives, and $10 million in aid for military children with disabilities. Amendments during upcoming floor debate are expected to address expanding eligibility for the concurrent receipt of military retired pay and Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation, repeal the Survivor Benefit Plan/Dependency Indemnity Compensation (SBP/DIC) offset for survivors, and retroactive (back to Sept 11, 2001) early retirement credit for frequently mobilized Reservists.

The full House approved its version (H.R. 5136) of the legislation prior to the Memorial Day break. Like the SASC-approved version, the House measure does not seek TRICARE fee increases and allows TRICARE beneficiaries to purchase coverage for their older dependent children. As detailed in the May 21, 2010, edition of NewsBytes, the House bill also includes provisions to pay retirees on the first day of the month or earlier if the first day of the month falls on a weekend or a holiday (as is currently done for active duty pay); a 1.9-percent active duty pay increase; increase monthly combat pay from $225 to $260 and raise the family separation allowance from $250 to $285; and among other issues authorizes an increase in Navy end strength (4,000) until Navy Individual Augmentees (IA) are withdrawn from Iraq and Afghanistan.  

After both chambers pass their respective bills, a conference committee will reconcile differences and create a final version that must be approved by both the House and Senate and sent to the President for his signature.


QRMC Meeting at FRA NHQ
DoD regularly conducts a review of military pay and related issues, and the 11th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation (QRMC) began work on May 11, 2010.  FRA hosted a meeting of Military Coalition organizations this week Tom Bush, QRMC director, to discuss priority concerns relevant to the year-long review.

President Obama has directed the QRMC to focus on compensation for service performed in a combat zone, combat operation or hostile fire area; the Reserve and National Guard's compensation and benefits; compensation and benefits available to wounded warriors, caregivers and survivors; and pay incentives for critical career fields.


President Signs the VA Affirmation Act
"The VA Affirmation Act" (H.R. 5014) became law last week, clarifying that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care programs meet the minimum coverage requirements under recent health care reform legislation. Specifically, the legislation clarifies that the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), Spina Bifida Health Care Program, and the Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Health Care Program meet the "minimum essential coverage" requirement under the health care law.

In April the President signed the "The TRICARE Affirmation Act" (H.R. 4887) that makes similar clarifications for TRICARE beneficiaries. Both measures reflect FRA's work to ensure TRICARE and VA health care benefits are not impacted by national health care reform.


Senate Panel Discusses Agent Orange Reform
The Senate Veterans Affairs (VA) Committee held a hearing recently to discuss several legislative proposals, including "The Agent Orange Equity Act" (S. 1939). The measure, sponsored by Senator Kristin Gillibrand (N.Y.), would reverse the VA's policy preventing "Blue Water" veterans from claiming presumptive status for the diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure. Currently, only "boots on the ground" Vietnam veterans qualify for service-connected status. FRA is an outspoken advocate for this legislation and welcomes the committee's interest and concern. Members are urged to use the FRA Action Center at www.fra.org to contact their legislator on this legislation and its companion legislation in the House (H.R. 2254).

Hot Topic: Are you or someone you know affected by exposure to Agent Orange? Visit www.fra.org/hottopics to share your concerns.
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