Authorization and funding of health and dental care is necessary for the readiness of all Reserve Component (RC) Soldiers. The increased use of the RC in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) and other worldwide requirements highlights this need.

TRICARE costs and accessibility are important issues for Soldiers, retirees and Family members. Reimbursement rates to civilian medical providers must be sufficient to insure their participation. The pursuit of best practices and performance efficiencies in the military health care system should remain a high priority. High quality health care at home and on the battlefield continues to be one of the Army’s top priorities.

Taking care of severely wounded/combat disabled Soldiers, surviving spouses and their Families with a system of advocacy and follow up is essential. The transition from military services to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services must be seamless. The Army has developed a U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) to aid in this transition; however, continued funding is essential to meet the needs of our Soldiers.

The operational tempo of the GWOT is increasing the mental health needs of our Soldiers, as well as surviving spouses and their children. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may not surface for years, and the VA must be authorized and funded to provide services beyond the current 24-month limitation to those members no longer in the Army regardless of when the PTSD is diagnosed.

Providing high quality accessible and affordable health care to our Soldiers, retirees and their Family members is critical for sustaining the readiness of our Army and a much deserved benefit for the sacrifices they have made to protect and defend our nation. Any erosion of health care benefits is unacceptable. Our men and women in uniform and the Families who support them deserve nothing less.

WE THEREFORE RESOLVE to urge the Administration and Congress to:

• Support and fund medical research to benefit Soldiers
  
  
• Continue to fund the Air Ambulance (HH-60H) Program
  
  
• Support and fund the fielding of the Medical Evacuation Vehicle (MV-E) Program, an integral part of the Future Combat Systems (FCS)
  
  
• Support and fund the Medical Reengineering Initiative
  
  
• Continue to fund high quality health care to ensure continued access for all beneficiaries and to preclude the burden of user fees
  
  
• Continue to support and fund pharmacy programs for all beneficiaries
  
  
• Fully fund the dental costs for RC Soldiers upon notification of deployment to ensure they are deployable
  
  
• Provide a subsidy for the Retiree Dental Plan similar to the plan for active duty family members
  
  
• Continue to fund support for the mental health needs of Soldiers, their Families, and surviving spouses and children
  
  
• Continue to fund the Wounded Warrior Program (AW2)
  
  
• Provide funding for increases in reimbursable rates to TRICARE and MEDICARE providers to encourage increased provider participation
  
  
• Enact legislation to provide continuous VA care beyond the current 24 month limitation for Soldiers with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder regardless of the date of diagnosis
  
  
• Reduce TRICARE threshold for mileage reimbursement to 60 miles (one way)
  
  
• Fully fund VA Health Care
  
  
• Bar any TRICARE fee increases
  
  
• Fully fund the military health care system to provide post-deployment transitional care for Soldiers until the Veterans Administration system can assume responsibility
  
  
• Enact legislation to permanently approve the 12 health care provider occupations covered by the DOD direct hire authority now granted through the annual Defense Appropriations Act, and expand the OPM/DOD direct hire authority from 12 to 45 health care provider specialties