November 10, 2010  

On behalf of the more than 100,000 members of the Association of the United States Army, I urge you and your colleagues to immediately pass legislation that would reverse the 23% reduction in the Medicare Physician Payment rate that will take effect on November 30th.

Declining participation of providers in Medicare and TRICARE, due to low reimbursements, is a serious healthcare problem facing Medicare-eligibles and military beneficiaries of all ages.  Since TRICARE payment rates are tied to Medicare’s rates, any reductions adversely impact all military beneficiaries, not just those over age 65.

Finding doctors who accept TRICARE is an enormous problem for the military community; particularly for Guard and Reserve families, retirees, and survivors who live in areas with a small military population.  Payment cuts make the situation even worse.

Service members in harm’s way should not have to worry about their families’ healthcare.  There will be long-term negative consequences to retention and readiness if the military TRICARE program cannot provide access to quality care.

Again, I urge you to take immediate action to reverse the 23% Medicare/TRICARE payment cut that will take effect on November 30th.

                                                                                             Sincerely,

                                                                                             GORDON R. SULLIVAN
                                                                                                General, USA Retired