VFW Protects TRICARE Recipients as Defense Authorization Clears Senate

The VFW scored a major victory this week in the fight to preserve military retirees' health care benefits, effectively killing a toxic proposal to the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, that could have significantly raised TRICARE premiums for retirees at the whim of Pentagon bureaucrats for years to come.

The proposal, SA 1203 to the NDAA, S. 1864, would have allowed the Pentagon to set rate increases to TRICARE premiums on a yearly basis, encouraging disproportionate cost shifting to TRICARE beneficiaries in an effort to generate program savings.

Upon learning of the amendment, the VFW sent a letter to all Senate offices and mobilized its grassroots Action Corps, encouraging senators to vote no on the proposal, should it gain momentum.

In response to the overwhelming pressure from VFW veterans' advocates, the amendment was formally withdrawn on the Senate floor while the NDAA was up for discussion.

"This is a true testament to the power of our Action Corps volunteers and the tireless efforts of VFW's advocates across the country," said VFW Executive Director Bob Wallace. "The VFW has sent a loud message to Washington that we will stand to protect the earned benefits of our brothers and sisters-in-arms."

The NDAA passed the Senate on Thursday by a vote of 93-7. The bill must now be reconciled with the House version before it can be sent to the President for his signature.

The VFW is one of the lone voices on Capitol Hill fighting to protect military retiree health care benefits. This summer, VFW members passed a resolution at the National Convention in San Antonio, vowing to opposed all proposed TRICARE fee increases. This week, the VFW successfully defended this resolution by ensuring the TRICARE amendment would not proceed.

Your VFW will continue to track the NDAA as it moves through conference and on to the White House for signing. If you would like to become involved with the VFW Action Corps, sign up for the Washington Weekly eNewsletter at www.vfw.org/weekly, and check back regularly with this blog for updates.