The House Armed Services Committee approved the FY 2008 Defense Authorization Bill on May 10, 2007. The bill (HR 1585) alters a number of funding priorities for defense systems. As part of the bill, the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel proposed an across the board pay raise of 3.5% for Servicemembers. In addition, the personnel section of the bill would prevent administration plans to raise TRICARE enrollment fees, deductibles, and pharmacy co-pays. Both of these measures are part of AUSA’s legislative platform. The bill would also increase the end strength of the Army to 525,000, a figure above the President’s request but somewhat less than AUSA’s desired goal of 650,000.

The Committee also proposed an expansion of eligibility for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) to include Chapter 61 retirees forced to leave the Armed Forces because of disability. The law, if passed, would expand the benefit to retirees who have between fifteen and twenty years of service. Another provision of the bill would help increase Reserve Montgomery GI Bill benefits to keep them in step with Active Duty GI Bill benefits.

The bill would allocate a special $40 monthly payment, known as the “military survivor indemnity allowance,” to military survivors beginning October 1, 2008. The bill does not outright eliminate the offset which reduces survivor benefit annuities by the amount received through Dependency and Indemnity Compensation from the VA but the new allowance should be taken as a good sign that Congress is addressing the issue. AUSA will continue to press for the law to be changed to allow survivors to receive benefits in full.

The Senate is scheduled to mark up its own version of the Authorization Bill later this month and then the bill will pass to a House-Senate conference to resolve differences in the two versions. As a result, proposals in the House bill may be amended.

Army Details Changes to Wounded Warrior Care at Walter Reed

At a press conference held at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on April 26, General Richard Cody, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, announced that many of the problems in the treatment of wounded troops have been resolved. However, he also noted that there are still some problems that cannot be fixed quickly because they need to be tackled above the Army level.

Gen. Cody released some preliminary findings from the Army’s review team, which began investigating the conditions at Walter Reed in March. Overall, the team found that the medical and physical board process has too many forms and is too bureaucratic. Gen. Cody also noted that the outpatient care system lacked quality control. The team recommended better and standardized training for liaison officers and case managers and a restructuring of the Army's medical hold and medical holdover companies.

Since March, several improvements have been made to Wounded Warrior care, including the establishment of a Solider and Family assistance center and the implementation of an ombudsman program at all medical treatment facilities at the patient representative office. In addition, all Wounded Warriors who were housed in Building 18, a substandard temporary lodging facility, have been moved.

To ensure continued oversight of Wounded Warrior care, Gen. Cody said he will launch an Army inspector general review of the medical system every six months and meet with hospital commanders every four to six weeks. Feedback from Soldiers and Families will also be collected. Read the complete article http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/04/26/2868-army-moves-out-to-fix-wounded-warrior-care-across-service/

Interagency Task Force Makes Recommendations to Improve Services to Veterans
The Interagency Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes, established by President Bush in March, submitted its report to the White House on April 19. The purpose of the Task Force was to improve the delivery of federal services and benefits to Servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Its members included representatives from several federal agencies. The Task Force received over 2,400 comments from Servicemembers, veterans and family members which were then used to help identify gaps in federal services.

The final report includes 25 recommendations to improve services to returning veterans in areas such as employment, housing and education assistance, disability benefits and veterans healthcare. The full report can be viewed at http://www1.va.gov/taskforce/. Additionally, the Task Force worked with the General Services Administration to improve the USA.gov website to include a special section with information about federal services and benefits for Servicemembers, veterans and their family members. Visit http://www.usa.gov and click on the “Military and Veterans” link to learn more.

TRICARE Uniform Formulary Update Announced
TRICARE has released an update to its Uniform Formulary. The update explains which medications will continue on the TRICARE Uniform Formulary and lists 10 others which have been designated as nonformulary (or third tier) effective August 1, 2007. The updated chart is available at http://www.tricare.mil/pressroom/news.aspx?fid=282. Beneficiaries may find more information on the TRICARE Retail Pharmacy and locations, and the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy at http://www.express-scripts.com/TRICARE. They may also call 866-363-8779 for the retail pharmacy or 866-363-8667 for the mail order pharmacy.

TRICARE Supports Beneficiaries Participating in Medicare’s Renal Disease Demonstrations
The TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) is coordinating benefits with Medicare to make it easier for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease to participate in three Medicare demonstrations. Demonstrations are taking place in Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas. The demonstrations will test the effectiveness of disease management models to increase quality of care for these patients while ensuring they receive care more effectively and efficiently. At the same time, Medicare will assess alternatives for paying for services these beneficiaries receive. Beneficiaries who would like to participate in a demonstration for end-stage renal disease should speak with a representative at their dialysis center to learn if one is available in their area. The full press release is available at http://www.tricare.mil/pressroom/news.aspx?fid=278.