10-5-12

DoD Wants to Reprogram TRICARE Funds

Despite efforts to significantly increase military retiree health care fees, Defense Comptroller Robert Hale has requested permission from Congress to allow the Department of Defense (DoD) to transfer $708 million from the 2012 TRICARE budget to pay for other programs. Rep. Joe Wilson (S.C.) chairman of the House Armed Services’ Military Personnel Subcommittee, sent a letter cosigned by more than two dozen committee members to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta asking why DoD continues to ask for increases in TRICARE enrollment fees, if there is a “surplus” of $708 million in the fund and advised Panetta that the subcommittee chairman will oppose the re-programming request.