HEALTHCARE COST SET TO SOAR!
In a warning with big implications for future budget debates, the Congressional Budget Office estimates the cost of veterans’ health care will rise between 45 percent and 70 percent over the next decade, a massive jump that will only partly result from treating Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans.

Veterans Affairs Department health care costs are now running about $48 billion a year, according to a new report from the nonpartisan congressional agency. About $2 billion of that total is associated with treating Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

What’s this mean to you?  In today’s anemic economy and burgeoning national debt, there’s a growing likelihood we’ll soon hear the call from the Department of Defense, and with support from the current Presidential Administration, for significant TRICARE enrollment fee increases.  It’s no longer a matter of if – but when…Airmen will be asked to shoulder the increased cost.  We’re hearing rumblings and chatter from the Hill and elsewhere that next year may be the year where Airmen will see significant proposed increases in TRICARE fees and co-pays.

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TRICARE 26

Last week we reported on S. 3846 and H.R. 6227, which provide temporary provisions that would prevent adult military children ages 21 – 26 from being removed from TRICARE until the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is signed in to law. 

After the NDAA becomes law, the Defense Department would then implement the new requirements; our primary concern, however, is the timeline.  How long are we talking about?  Time matters when you’re concerned about healthcare of our military children/young adults.  And while our servicemembers wait for a new law and DoD to implement, how many adult military children will not have healthcare insurance?  The answer: one is too many!

AFSA has been aggressively working on this important matter in partnership with our The Military Coalition (TMC) partners.    

On the “civilian” healthcare side, it is required by law (as of the 23rd of September) that those adult children up to the age of 26, who are unable to attain healthcare insurance, can be covered on their parent’s healthcare plan.  While the NDAA has provisions to allow coverage for military children, it will be left up to the Secretary of Defense to establish what the fee will be. 

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AFSA ATTENDS THE MILITARY COALITION AWARDS RECEPTION 

AFSAs’ CEO and the Military and Government Relations staff accepted an invite to the Military Coalition Awards Reception on Wednesday. This reception provided sspecial recognition to Members of Congress and their staff who have made significant contributions to the Coalition’s goals. Awards were given to the following: 

• 2010 Award of Merit

      Senator Daniel K. Akaka (HI), Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs 

      Committee 

      Congressman Ike Skelton (MO), Chairman of the House Armed Services 

      Committee 

• 2010 Freedom Award  

      Kim Lipsky, Deputy Staff Director,

      Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee     

      Jacob Parker, Senior Legislative Assistant for Representative

      Tom Latham. 

Congratulations to the Award recipients.

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NATIONAL MILITARY FAMILY ASSOCIATION CONGRESSIONAL RECEPTION

AFSA CEO and the Director of Military and Government Relations had the opportunity to attend the National Military Family Association (NFMA) Congressional reception on Monday to recognize the 2010 Support of Military Families Award.  Awards were given to the following:

 ?         Senator Daniel K. Akaka (HI)

     Chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee

 ?         Representative Susan A. Davis (CA)

     Chairwoman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee,

      House Armed Services Committee

 ?         Representative Michael H. Michaud (ME)

     Chairman of the Health Subcommittee,

     House Veterans’ Affairs Committee

 ?         American Bar Association

     Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel (LAMP)

 This event was attended by many of the Military Services senior leaders to include CMSAF Roy and sister service senior enlisted leaders. 

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