08-10-12

New Health Care Benefits Bill

Rep. Jon Runyan (NJ) introduced the "Military Health Care Protection Act" (H.R. 6266) that seeks to protect TRICARE beneficiaries from excessive and unfair enrollment fee increases and significant hikes in pharmacy co-pays. The bill is companion legislation to Senate legislation (S. 3203) introduced by Senators Frank Lautenberg (NJ) and Marco Rubio (FL).  These proposals seek to protect TRICARE beneficiaries from excessive and unfair enrollment fee increases and significant hikes in pharmacy co-pays (Standard, Prime, and TRICARE-for-Life) included in the Administration’s FY 2013 budget request. The bills emphasize that military service is unlike other civilian occupations and associated health care benefits are earned through 20 or more years of arduous service and sacrifice.

The bills prohibit any TRICARE fees, and pharmacy co-pays from exceeding that year's percentage increase in retired pay. Further, the proposals prohibit dependents of members who died while on active duty or from an injury, illness, or disease incurred while on active duty, from being charged an enrollment fee for TRICARE coverage. FRA appreciates the leadership demonstrated by the sponsors championing this legislation and Shipmates are urged to use the Action Center to contact their elected officials requesting support at through the Action Center.