FRA NewsBytes - 08-14-2015

In this issue:
There is Still Time to Participate in Survey
TRICARE Enrollees Will Have to Refill Certain Drugs through Mail or at MTF
President Signs Veterans Employment Bill as Young Veterans Unemployment Increases
Passing of PNP George W. Brown Jr.

There is Still Time to Participate in Survey
FRA recently sent out a survey to our members concerning efforts to fund the “Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act” (HR-969 and S-681) in lieu of monetary offsets. One proposed offset requires veterans who are receiving disability compensation to have their benefits rounded down to the nearest whole dollar, with the remainder set aside to fund the Act. The survey asks respondents if they would be willing to give up an amount of up to $0.99 per month so that “blue water” Vietnam veterans may receive compensation for their disabilities. Members may access the survey through the FRA Facebook page or by clicking this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XRLPGKY

TRICARE Enrollees Will Have to Refill Certain Drugs through Mail or at MTF
Beginning October 1, 2015, TRICARE recipients will be required to obtain refills for certain drug prescriptions through the mail or at military treatment facilities, according to a provisional rule set by the Department of Defense (DoD). The new policy will only affect refills of non-generic prescription drugs that people take on a regular daily basis for chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol; it does not pertain to medications for unexpected infections or illnesses. This new provision, which has been set forth by the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), seeks to save money for the DoD and for TRICARE enrollees by avoiding the higher co-payments associated with many prescription medications in wholesale pharmacies. The DoD estimates that this new change will save the federal government $88 million per year, while saving TRICARE beneficiaries about $16.5 million per year due to lower co-payments.

By obtaining pharmaceutical drugs through the mail, TRICARE beneficiaries will be able to save an average of $44 a day on a 90-day supply of brand-name drugs; a 90-day supply of non-generic drugs through the mail is $16 versus a 30-day supply in retail pharmacies for $20. Moreover, there are no co-payments for drugs that are attained at military treatment facilities. On average, the government pays 32 percent less for brand-name maintenance medication prescriptions filled through the mail order program and through military treatment facility pharmacies than through the retail program.

President Signs Veterans Employment Bill as Young Veterans Unemployment Increases
President Obama recently signed into law provisions from the “Hire More Heroes Act” (HR 22). On the first day of session for the new (114th) Congress, the House unanimously passed the bill, sponsored by Rep. Rodney Davis (Ill.). The Senate Finance Committee later approved the measure without amendment. The bill eventually became part of part H.R. 3236, the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act. This provision incentivizes small businesses to hire veterans while at the same time providing them relief from the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The bill exempts employees with health coverage under TRICARE or the Department of Veterans Affairs from determining if the employer is regulated by the ACA (30 or more employees who work 30 or more hours a week).

The overall unemployment rate dropped to 5.3 percent in July 2015. The employment rate for Post-9/11/01 veterans, however, increased in July by more than one percent to seven percent. The overall unemployment rate for veterans remained at 4.3 percent.

Passing of PNP George W. Brown Jr.
It is with heartfelt regret that we announce the passing of PNP George W. Brown Jr. to the Staff of the Supreme Commander on August 9, 2015, at age 90. Shipmate Brown was our National President from 1984-1985. He was married for over 70 years to his lovely wife, Anna O. Brown.

Services are being handled by the Mack Funeral Home, 22154 State Hwy 59, Robertsdale, AL 36567. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Christ the King Roman Catholic Church in Daphne, AL. Funeral services will be held at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church Today at 9:00 AM, and interment will be at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort, AL. In accordance with Sec 2707, FRA Rituals Manual, the Colors and Charter have been draped.