The Department of Defense Task Force on the Future of Military Healthcare sent an interim report to Congress on May 31 which endorsed higher TRICARE fees, deductibles, and co-payments for retires under 65 and their families. The Task Force, which was appointed by the Secretary of Defense in December 2006, was created to examine ways to streamline military healthcare and reduce costs. The Task Force’s current recommendations would phase in fee increases over three to five years. The report’s findings also include a recommendation that would raise co-payments on prescriptions filled in the TRICARE retail pharmacy network and establishes a new tiered TRICARE fee structure which would set fees according to the amount of retirees’ annuity payments.

A previous effort by the Department of Defense to raise TRICARE fees was defeated by Congress last year after concerns were raised by AUSA and other military service organizations that the fees would create financial hardship for retirees on fixed incomes. AUSA will continue to press Congress to protect the medical benefits of military retirees. More information about the Task Force on the Future of Military Healthcare is available at http://www.dodfuturehealthcare.net/index.html.

Home Care for Veterans Proposed Under New Bill
In late May, Senator Larry Craig (R-ID) introduced the State Veterans Home Modernization Act (S. 1441) to allow more veterans to have long term care provided at home rather than in state homes. Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may provide US states with a portion of the funding for construction or renovations of state nursing homes that serve veterans. The new bill will allow the VA more flexibility to provide home or community based care though the expansion of non-institutional care programs and facilities. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs.

Education Benefits Improve for Minnesota Veterans
Minnesota’s state legislature recently passed into law an act that would supplement federal GI bill benefits. The Minnesota GI Bill provides funds of up to $1,000 per academic term to veterans and family members of deceased and disabled veterans who have served on active duty since September 11, 2001. Those eligible for the assistance must be enrolled in one of Minnesota’s colleges, universities, or technical schools. To learn more about Minnesota’s services for veterans please visit http://www.mdva.state.mn.us/index.htm

Law Changes Increase Benefits for Families of Fallen Soldiers
Because of recent law changes, families of Soldiers who die on active duty are receiving greater Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) benefits. Before Sep. 10, 2001, SBP was not payable unless the fallen Soldier was retirement-eligible. In cases where there was time before the Soldier died, death-imminent retirement processing was conducted so that the Soldier could be retired and SBP could be elected. Public Law (PL) 107-107, passed Dec. 28, 2001, extended SBP benefits to eligible survivors of all Soldiers who die on active duty in the line of duty, retroactive to Sep. 11, 2001.

Two laws made significant changes benefiting families. Spouses of Soldiers who die in the line of duty receive VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). A Spouse SBP benefit is reduced, dollar-for-dollar, by DIC. However, a Child Only SBP benefit is not offset by DIC. PL 108-136, passed Nov. 24, 2003, made it possible for surviving spouses of Soldiers who died on active duty on or after that date to request Child Only SBP, effective the date of the Soldier’s death, so that the fallen Soldier’s Family could receive both DIC and SBP (as long as the youngest child remains eligible, usually age 18 or 22). PL 109-364, passed Oct. 17, 2006, extended the eligibility to request a change from Spouse to Child Only SBP to the surviving spouses of Soldiers who died on active duty from Oct. 8, 2001 to Nov. 23, 2003. Note: The Child Only elections made under the provisions of the 2006 law are not effective until the first of the month following HQDA approval.

DIC payments are usually increased annually; however, at the current rate of $1,067 a month, a Child Only election could bring more than $280,000 to the fallen Soldier’s family over the next 22 years. This law change has brought increased benefits to 1,706 children who are part of 920 families. If you feel that you or someone you know may be eligible for this benefit, contact your RSO (http://www.armyg1.army.mil/rso/rso.asp)

Retired Soldiers Bring New Recruits
Since Retired Soldiers became eligible to earn the recruiting referral bonus in June 2006, they have brought more than 600 potential Soldiers to the Army. Retired Soldiers can receive a bonus for referring someone with no prior military experience to the Referral Bonus Pilot Program. The bonus is not paid to those referring immediate family members, including spouses, children, parents, stepparents and siblings. The bonus increased to $2,000, effective Nov. 13, 2006. Those who made referrals before that date are eligible for only the $1,000 bonus. The bonus is paid in two lump sums. The first half is paid when the Soldier begins basic training and the second half is paid after the Soldier graduates from One-Station Unit Training or Advanced Individual Training. As we went to press, seven Retired Soldiers had earned the bonus. Retired Soldiers can make referrals online or on the phone. You can call the Army Referral System – Sergeant Major of the Army Recruiting Team (ARS SMART) at 1-800-223-3735, ext. 6-0473, or make a referral at https://smart.goarmy.com/dana-na/auth/url_6/welcome.cgi