Do you want to understand why the military tends to vote Republican?
Because they think Democrats don't keep promises. And they will have even more ammunition if the recommendations of The Center for American Progress come to pass:
•Gradually phase in increased fees for military retirees, including a tiered fee structure for working-age retirees;
•Increase cost sharing to encourage responsible use of Tricare for Life benefits;
•Limit double coverage for high-income retirees and peg Tricare premiums to Medicare Part B costs.
Something like this happened once before, back in 1995, when, with the swipe of a pen, President Bill Clinton, took away the free health care of thousands of military retirees. He signed a Defense Authorization Bill that included charging retirees for health care that they had always received for free. Republicans can't ask for much more... if the Obama administration goes for this (and Secretary Gates is backing similar plans), then two Democratic Presidents will be responsible for wiping out the military retiree health care system.
Once again, the Left is being blamed for stripping away earned benefits of our military. The folks at Military.com are pointing fingers at a report from the Center for American Progress:
While the facts and figures presented in the report may be accurate, the report insinuates that military retirees, especially those with second careers, are hurting the country by taking advantage of the benefits they have earned.
Remember 1995? That's when congress and the courts decided that free health care benefits did not exist for military retirees. Retirees pulled out old recruitment flyers and retirement briefings all claiming free health care for life, but it wasn't enough to convince the courts. An attempt to fix the inequity was made with the advent of Tricare for Life which at least enabled retirees to buy into the current military health care system. But by then, thousands of retirees had lost faith in the system and in their government. And they pay only because they have no other choice other than to abandon health care altogether, not a feasible option for most.
This matter resonates for me because I can remember watching my dad get angry and upset about the unfairness of the government. He was horrified that they would even consider taking away a benefit that he had planned on for his entire career. After a time, he became resigned. The military can have a way of doing that do you. Always a good airman, he knew that eventually you just had to follow orders because the orders weren't likely to change.
This time around, my dad may not have to pay a lot more. He is now medicare eligible and Congress may be kind and grant retirees from his generation a reprieve. Instead, this one will hit my husband. He can retire this year but will most likely remain on active duty longer. When he does retire, we will be asked to pay even more into this system. We will be asked to sacrifice part of what we considered to be his retirement package because our Congress can't seem to manage their money. We will be told that it is our responsibility as good citizens and as public servants to obey orders and to do as we are told.
I say bullshit!
I am sick and tired of this kind of crap.
The problem is not that military health care is costing us too much money. The problem is that all health care costs too much.
This is a red-herring, meant to misdirect the majority of Americans from the real problem to something smaller and easier to get rid off. After all, retirees were unable to stop this before, why should they be able to stop this now?
The Center for Progressive Politics even diverts your eyes further away than they need to. They claim, quite boldly, that they will not recommend charging active duty members or their families for their care. That would be unthinkable, right?
What most military members don't understand is that access to our military health care is not guaranteed for active duty families, nor reserve or guard families. Congress has the exact same ability to wipe out our free health care at any time.
Military Health Care: The Issue of “Promised” Benefits CRS Report for Congress
Under current law, active duty personnel are entitled to military health care and have a right or claim to this care. Active duty dependents are also entitled to this care, however, this entitlement is limited to space or service availability restrictions.
The highlighted quote shows exactly what retirees used to expect as well - they were entitled to space available services... look out military families, because if Congress keeps chipping away at Retiree benefits without really solving our health care crisis, family health care will be next.
Word of what's happening is beginning to leak out among retiree circles. Check out part of this recent LTE from Orange County:
It must be remembered that during the three decades that I served one of incentives presented during re-enlistment counseling sessions was that myself and spouse would receive free health care if I stayed on active duty for 20 years or longer.
The Clinton administration ended that program, and instituted the Tricare HMO program, where a yearly fee was put into effect, with a co-pay for doctor visits. Next the Tricare For Life program was put into effect, whereas a member who reached age 65 and Medicare no longer had to pay the fee or co-pays.
Or this one:
Once again, Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates has proposed an increase in health care premiums for military retirees and their families as a way to save money and cut the Department of Defense budget.
Mr. Gates explains that basic family health care costs $460 per year, a fee that has not increased since 1995. He does not explain that before 1995, military retirees did not pay the annual premium of $460, as military health care was an earned benefit for at least 20 years of service. Unfortunately, in 1995, military health care was changed from an earned benefit to something that is subject to change based on Congress, the Pentagon and the administration. Premiums for military health care should not be subject to the annual budget and appropriations process.
As the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have shown, military service is not a civilian, 9-to-5 job in a typical office setting. Military personnel and their families are subjected to numerous tours of moving, unaccompanied duty and many assignments that most of the civilian population would never agree to accept. Only police, fire and emergency medical technicians come close to being exposed to conditions similar to military service.
I urge Congress and President Obama not to agree with Mr. Gates‘ proposal to save money on the backs of those who served in harm’s way and earned their benefits by sacrificing for America.
MARK H. OLANOFF
Chief master sergeant, U.S. Air Force (retired)
National president, Armed Forces Top Enlisted Association
Now is the perfect time for you - the civilian with no connections to the military - to call your congressman and ask what the hell is going on. We need YOU to call. The military community is too small to make a difference by ourselves.
While you're at it, you may want to consider asking your Congressman to support the Bi-Partisan House Resolution to End the Afghanistan War.
Need phone numbers? Here is a link for your Representative. Please start there.
Please consider following Military Community Members of DailyKos so that you can help out with future issues that need civilian backing... Just click on the link and then click on the heart underneath the DKos logo on the lefthand side of the page. We really do need your help.