Success! FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Rejects administration proposals. By the time you read this, the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) should have cleared Congress and have been signed into law by the president.An AUSA salute goes to Congress for recognizing that service in defense of America is not just another job. A provision in the NDAA said "It is the sense of Congress that – (1) members of the uniformed services and their families endure unique and extraordinary demands and make extraordinary sacrifices over the course of 20 to 30 years of service in protecting freedom for all Americans, as do those who have been medically retired due to the hardships of military service; and (2) access to quality health care services is an earned benefit during retirement in acknowledgment of their contributions of service and sacrifice."AUSA and its partners in The Military Coalition scored a huge victory when Congress voted to reject the administration proposals to increase some TRICARE fees and establish new ones. They also rejected DoD proposals to drastically increase pharmacy co-pays.While the bill does include a modest increase in TRICARE pharmacy co-pays for 2013, caps beginning in 2014 will only allow fees to rise by no more than the annual retiree COLA.To make up the lost revenue from capping co-pays at lower rates, the NDAA requires TRICARE-for-Life eligible beneficiaries use either military pharmacies or the mail-order system for refills of maintenance medications for at least one year. Look for more information on how this initiative will work as the details become available.  While Congress will allow the establishment of a Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission, it rejected the administration’s request that members of the commission would all be appointed by the administration. It also rejected the proposal that any recommendations by the commission would have to be considered by Congress using BRAC-like rules that would have barred any amendments and required an up or down vote. The NDAA also:Authorizes a 1.7% pay increase for the military and extends bonuses and special pay.Caps the number of troops that can be separated from the Army and Marine Corps in a single year.Requires DOD to develop a comprehensive policy on the prevention of suicide among service members. It also requires the secretary to establish a position within the Office of the Secretary of Defense that would be responsible for overseeing all suicide prevention and resilience programs of DOD and the military services.Introduces bipartisan reforms aimed at the way the Defense Department interacts with the private sector, opening more opportunities for small businesses, increasing competition, and spurring innovation. It also requires the Secretary to develop a national security strategy for the industrial base and eliminates obstacles to small business competition for Defense Department initiatives.Declines to take up administration requests, such as two rounds of base closure, which could damage vital military infrastructure.Sustains America’s heavy armored production base by maintaining minimum sustained production of Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, and Hercules recovery vehicles.Fully funds the Army Ground Combat Vehicle development program.Fully funds requests for 50 AH-64 Apaches, 59 UH-60 Blackhawks, and 44 CH-47 ChinooksResources underfunded critical dual-use equipment requirements for Guard and Reserve forces.AUSA’s next fight will be the defense appropriations bill. If you recall, way back in September 2012, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) that extended spending through March 27, 2013. It is still unclear what will happen after the CR expires. You can be assured that we will follow all developments and report on them in this space and in the AUSA Legislative Update. If you do not get the Update, email Julie Rudowski, Assistant Director for Government Affairs at jrudowski@ausa.org.