Retiree benefits are targeted for cuts by DoD panel.
A consensus is building among current and former military leaders and defense industry executives that rising military personnel costs threaten the viability of the all-volunteer force.
In July, two separate advisory groups reached the same general conclusions regarding what needs to be done to sustain the force. In the nearer term, they say, one step that must be taken is to make military retirees pay more out of pocket for their health care benefit.
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A Senate committee took the first step toward ending the policy that bans gays from openly serving in the military in May. The House followed suit with a 234-194 vote to overturn the 17-year-old law.
According to those in the House who support lifting of the ban, the measure is a compromise under which the repeal would not go into effect until the Pentagon completes its study, expected in December, and until Obama and military leaders certify that it would not adversely affect the military's ability to fight.
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Senate Considers Establishment of Online Veterans' Benefit Resource
If passed, Senate Bill S.3355, would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain an Internet website that provides information on the benefits, resources, services, and opportunities available for veterans and their families and caregivers, including veterans' benefits provided through the VA and the Department of Labor, tax benefits, social security benefits, state and local resources, and small business assistance.
The bill requires the proposed website to: (1) consolidate, expand on, and improve information and links from other existing websites relating to such benefits, resources, services, and opportunities; and (2) integrate dynamic Internet features and virtual interface tools to provide a personalized, interactive, and user-centered Internet experience.
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Senate Bill S. 3447, the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010, includes six major welcome changes to the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The bill makes a number of modifications to the new program including the following six major provisions:
1. Members of the National Guard and Reserve who were inadvertently omitted from inclusion would be fully eligible for benefits.
2. Includes all vocational programs, OJT and apprenticeship training, flight, all types of non-college degree training and more.
3. Eliminates the complicated State-by-State tuition and fee caps to determine benefits for individuals enrolled in degree programs.
4. Provides a modified living stipend to students who are enrolled in distance learning (online education) programs.
5. Makes active duty and their spouses eligible for the $1,000 annual book allowance.
6. Enables vets to use Voc-Rehab with the Post-9/11 GI Bill stipends.
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Pass Continuing Extension Act of 2010 (HR 4851)
Medicare and TRICARE payments were cut 21 percent on April 1, 2010. The Senate is considering corrective legislation (H.R. 4851) but it is being delayed over technical budget details.
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Support for H.R. 4923
Many beneficiaries with dependent children are asking how the Health Care Reform Act (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) will impact their children age 26 and younger.
TRICARE's official answer is that their current age limits - 21, or age 23, if the dependent is in a full-time school program - are set by statute. They include the fact that separate legislation is required to change the the age limits. Until such legislation is enacted the TRICARE benefit remains unaffected by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Representative Martin Heinrich (N.M.) has introduced "The TRICARE Dependent Coverage Extension Act" (H.R. 4923), a bill that would extend TRICARE coverage for dependent children to the maximum age of 26.
To learn more visit the "Understanding the HCR Affects on TRICARE" article on Military.com.
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House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Missouri) is concerned that the final health care legislation would impact medical coverage for 9.2 million military personnel, retirees, and their families.
U.S. Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA), the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee further demanded that the House Democratic leadership delay a final vote on the Senate legislation until language can be added that explicitly protects military families.
According to some in the House Armed Services Committee, the Senate-passed legislation could jeopardize health care TRICARE beneficiaries including military service members, retirees and family member. The fear is that TRICARE beneficiaries might be forced to pick new coverage on the exchange-even if they are satisfied with their coverage.
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As House and Senate Democrats negotiate a final compromise national health care reform bill, military people across the nation -- and their advocates in Washington D.C. -- remain vigilant for side effects. Indeed Democrats contend that if the Senate-passed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (HR 3590) becomes law, many of 16 million veterans not enrolled in VA health care "will have access to quality, affordable health insurance choices through [new] health insurance Exchanges... and may be eligible for premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions as well."
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The Veterans' Retraining Act of 2009, would provide a housing stipend to unemployed veterans enrolled in a Department of Labor job training program. The bill also would provide financial assistance to help newly-trained veterans relocate to geographic locations with a high demand for their acquired skills. H.R. 1168 would provide the necessary training opportunities that will allow more of these men and women to acquire employment skills that reflect job market demands, as well as the financial means to relocate to where those jobs are plentiful.
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Declaring "our security is at stake," President Barack Obama ordered an additional 30,000 U.S. troops into the long war in Afghanistan, nearly tripling the force he inherited as commander in chief. He promised an impatient public he would begin bringing units home in 18 months. The buildup to about 100,000 troops will begin almost immediately - the first Marines will be in place by Christmas - and will cost $30 billion for the first year alone.
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