Weekly newsletter of the Fleet Reserve Association

April 27, 2018
            

In this issue:

NDAA Moves Forward

AFRH Residents to Get Huge Rent Increase

VA Secretary Nominee Drops Out

 

NDAA Moves Forward in House 

The upcoming FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that is pegged the recent budget deal to limit sequestration cuts for Defense budget, began to take shape this week. The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) subcommittees began to mark up and approve their respective portions of the bill (H.R.5515). The Military Personnel Subcommittee provisions were approved and passed onto consideration of the full committee. The markup provides: 

  • Providing no TRICARE fee increases or pharmacy co-pay increases;
  • Requiring DoD to make a report to the HASC on the TRICARE structural changes impacting beneficiary access to health care services no later than March 29, 2019;
  • Allowing the full by-law 2.6 percent pay raise for the troops—the highest in 9 years;
  • Repealing scheduled 1 percent cut in Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH);
  • Authorizing increased active duty end strength by 15,600 (Navy increased 7,500);
  • Directing the Secretary of the Army to take steps to extend the life of Arlington National Cemetery; 
  • Requiring DoD to review mental health and wounded warrior programs for effectiveness; and 
  • Reforming the Transition Assistance Program (TAP).

Unfortunately the bill does not provide any improvements for concurrent receipt. The full House Armed Services Committee (HASC) is scheduled to markup the bill (H.R.5515) on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, and then the full House will review and approve the bill. The Senate Armed Services Committee will soon commence its markup process as well. Once both chambers of Congress approve their legislation, a conference committee will be appointed to resolve the differences between the two bills. This final version will then be voted on by both chambers of Congress and if approved will be sent to the President to be signed into law or vetoed. 

 

Members are urged to use the FRA Action Center on the website to ask their legislators to support concurrent receipt reform. 

 

AFRH Residents Scheduled to Get Huge Increase in Rent

Armed Forces Retirement Home military retiree residents in Gulfport, Mississippi and Washington, D.C. are scheduled to see a 50 percent to 100 percent increase in rent effective October 1, 2018. The maximum monthly rent will be increased from $1,458 to $3,054. Many of the residents who live there are elderly and on a fixed and limited income. This undoubtedly will place a financial burden on those who have served our Nation. 

 

FRA supports adequate funding for the operation of the Armed Forces Retirement Home's two facilities and continues to monitor and advocate adequate care for its residents. Members are urged to use the FRA Action Center on the website to ask their legislators to stop this excessive increase. 

 

VA Secretary Nominee Drops Out

President Trump's selection to become Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, White House physician and Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson, has withdrawn his nomination. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee postponed a confirmation due to allegations of misconduct. In addition, many in Congress expressed concerns about his lack of management experience.

 

          
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NewsBytes is FRA's weekly legislative update. If you received this through a forward and would like to subscribe, please e-mail us  and include your name and contact information in the body of e-mail. If you are a member of FRA or LA FRA, please include your member number.

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