MOAA LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
MOAA Benefits Information Update - June 02, 2003:

1. Directives Allow "Agent" To Shop For Commissary Patrons

Recent activities have brought to the forefront the issue of having someone shop for eligible commissary patrons. It doesn't just apply to children with a deployed parent, but to other authorized patrons who may have difficulty shopping on their own.

Known as the agent privilege, it's for any authorized commissary shopper who needs assistance shopping or who cannot shop on his or her own behalf because of disability, illness or infirmity. That privilege also extends to grandparents, guardians or caregivers of children of service members who may not be available due to deployment or remote assignment.

Authorized shoppers, who are elderly or disabled, and unfamiliar with the 'agent' privilege, should contact the identification card section on the installation to determine what proof is needed to have an agent shop in the commissary on their behalf.

3. Updates from the Tricare Management Activity

TRICARE Provider Directory - The TRICARE Provider Directory Web site has been revamped to include basic descriptions that outline three TRICARE options (TRICARE Prime, Standard and Extra) and a link to a military treatment facility locator: http://www.tricare.osd.mil/ providerdirectory /

These are links to updated Frequently Asked Questions posted on both TRICARE and Express Scripts Inc. web sites for the new Tricare Mail Order Pharmacy (TMOP) benefit: http://www.tricare.osd.mil/pharmacy/ tmop.cfm

http:// www.express - scripts.com /custom/ dod / tmopfaq /

4. SBA Support for Reserve and Guard Members

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering special assistance to activated members of the Reserve and National Guard, and to small businesses affected by their activation.

SBA has created a special Web page specifically for Reserve and Guard members at www.sba.gov /reservists/ or you can contact your nearest SBA District Office, and speak to the Veterans Business Development Officer. For further assistance, contact the Office of Veterans Business Development at (202) 205-6773 or visit their web site at http:// www.sba.gov /vets/

MOAA's Legislative Update for Friday, June 6, 2003:

Issue 1: Health Care Lawsuit Refused. The Class Act Group's suit against the federal government ended in frustration on Monday, when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the group's appeal of the Circuit Court's dismissal.

Issue 2: Senate Approves Concurrent Receipt Amendment

On Wednesday, the Senate adopted Sen. Harry Reid's (D-NV) concurrent receipt amendment to the FY2004 Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1588) by voice vote. Now the bill goes to a conference committee to resolve the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. This is expected to take until September or later.

That said, the Senate's approval of the Reid amendment gets the issue back on the conferees' table, whether leadership wants it there or not. Clearly, last year's action left out lots of deserving disabled retirees. The omission of Guard and Reserve retirees -- even those with severe combat wounds -- has to be on Congress' minds when tens of thousands of Guard and Reserve members were just sent to war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Even more thousands of retirees whose disabilities were caused by performance of military duties other than in combat are also not covered.

Issue 3. DoD - VA Health Task Force Reports to President

The recently released final report of the President's Task Force (PTF) to Improve Health Care Delivery for Our Nation's Veterans offers a number of recommendations on how the DoD and VA health care systems can work together more effectively. Major PTF recommendations include:

Fully funding health care for all veterans enrolled in Priority Groups 1 - 7 "in accordance with VA's established access standards" (primary care appointments scheduled within 30 days).

Requiring VA facilities that can't meet the access standards to refer the veteran patient to a non-VA provider, unless the veteran prefers to wait for a VA appointment.

Allowing military retired veterans (dual-eligibles) to have their military or VA prescriptions filled in the other department's pharmacies.

Implementing "one-stop shopping" to speed seamless transition from active duty to veteran status, with a single separation physical, an interoperable electronic medical record, and collaboration on data-capture on occupational exposures and hazards from military service.

Using a joint strategic planning and budgeting process and improving leader accountability to achieve agreed upon joint objectives for sharing resources.

Working collaboratively to ensure DoD and VA health facility construction projects in each department are evaluated as potential joint ventures.

Issue 4: D-Day Remembered

Fifty-nine years ago today (6 June), a combined force of 130,000 American, British, and Canadian soldiers stormed five beaches on the Normandy coast in northern France. Overcoming fierce resistance, they established a foothold on the European continent and began the march to Berlin that would bring World War II to an end.

Nearly six decades after the fact, the courage and heroism of those who saved the world from fascism still offer the ultimate illustration of what we strive to be.

We salute the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who distinguished themselves so valiantly that day. Their spirit and sacrifice will continue to inspire generations to come.

MOAA's Member Services Update for June 2003:

MOAA TRAVEL TIPS:

A current listing of these reduced military rates can be found on the MOAA Vacations Web site, www.moaavacations . com. Call MOAA Vacations at (800) 211-5107 to learn more.

INSURANCE NEWS:

Is a TRICARE Standard Supplement right for you? Many members call us to ask whether they still need a TRICARE Standard Supplement since the annual TRICARE catastrophic cap went from $7,500 to $3,000. As always, the decision to insure your family against risk is a personal one that each person should make based on his or her own financial situation. However, here are some facts that you need to consider when you are making your decision about a TRICARE Standard Supplement:

Not all expenses can be used to satisfy the annual catastrophic cap. The cap applies only to the amount of money required to meet your family's annual TRICARE Standard deductibles and cost-shares based on TRICARE Standard allowable charges for covered medical care.

You still have to pay any charges in excess of those that TRICARE determines to be reasonable (or allowable) for covered care even if you do satisfy the catastrophic cap.

Although MOAA's MEDIPLUS TRICARE Standard Supplements do not reimburse the TRICARE deductible, they do cover the remaining eligible expenses that TRICARE leaves for you to pay. These include those excess charges that cannot be applied to the annual catastrophic cap as well as expenses you must pay to reach the $3,000 cap. (Remember, if you have a MEDIPLUS Plan that includes a deductible, you must also meet that deductible before your plan benefits begin.)

For MEDIPLUS TRICARE Supplements, call our insurance administrator toll-free at (800) 247-2192 or send them an email at moaa@ marshpm.com .

For information on how the TRICARE program works go to www.tricare.osd.mil/.

SHOPPING CENTER - PICKS OF THE MONTH:

Traveling this summer? - Take advantage of MOAA's discounts on rental cars, trucks, hotels, cruises and tours. MOAA has discounts with outstanding brands names such as AVIS, Budget cars and trucks, Alamo, Choice Hotels, Days Inn, Ramada, Travelodge and more. Go to www.moaa.org/Products/ for more information and to make your reservations.

MOAA Exchange - Now you can show support for both MOAA and your service. The MOAA Exchange has a new selection of dual MOAA and service logos polo shirts and caps. Visit the MOAA Exchange online at www.targetlogosonline.com /moaa/ or call 866-663-6622 to place an order.

MOAA's Legislative Update for Friday, June 13, 2003:

Issue 1: SBP Champions Speak Out for Survivors

MOAA President VADM Norbert R. Ryan, Jr., (USN-Ret) teaming with House legislators at a Thursday Capitol Hill press conference, reaffirmed a commitment to improve the Military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP).

Rep. Miller's H.R. 548 would fix a long-standing inequity experienced by older survivors, mostly widows, who see their SBP annuities drastically reduced when they reach age 62.

Rep. Brown's H.R. 1726 would eliminate the unfair reduction of SBP payments for Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC) paid to survivors whose spouses died in action (or because of service-connected disabilities).

Unfortunately, Congress failed to include these initiatives in the FY2004 Budget Resolution or the FY2004 Defense Authorization Act.

Issue 2: Medicare Rx Bill Would Offer Relief for Military, Not Problems

We've received many inquiries asking whether the Senate Finance Committee's new proposal to create a Medicare pharmacy benefit would affect military TRICARE Senior Pharmacy benefits. The answer is no. The military program is a separate, employer-provided benefit. Adding pharmacy coverage to Medicare is not expected to affect it in any way.

Issue 3: Military Tax Relief Battle Begins Another Round

Lawmakers are seeking support for a new child tax credit bill by highlighting that it would provide refundable tax credits for thousands of military families. The Senate version would provide advance checks to lower-income families this year; a measure approved in the House yesterday would provide the checks next year.

But the House bill also includes tax relief provisions for military homeowners, military survivors and drilling Guard and Reserve service members.

The Senate included similar provisions in the President's $350 billion tax cut bill, but the House didn't -- and they ultimately were dropped from the final bill. Now the House has put them in the child tax credit bill, and the Senate hasn't. That's now three times the House has passed such provisions in the last four months. The Senate has passed them twice in the same period. The current unfair tax law has forced military people to pay thousands of dollars out of their own pockets just for complying with military orders.

Congress needs to stop playing political games with military members' money - and just get it done. Visit http://capwiz.com/moaa/home/ and click on the "Armed Services Tax Fairness Act" link to urge your legislators to action.

MOAA's Legislative Update for Friday, June 20, 2003:

Issue 1: More Medicare Cuts Coming?

In the past year, one of MOAA's important goals has been the enactment of an increase in provider reimbursement rates for Medicare and TRICARE. Significant reductions in reimbursement over the past few years have limited the number of providers willing to treat these patients. These cuts also hurt TRICARE beneficiaries, as TRICARE rates are tied directly to Medicare. In February, lobbying efforts by MOAA and other organizations such as the American Medical Association (AMA) were successful in preventing a proposed 4.4 percent Medicare rate cut, and instead effecting a 1.6 percent increase for both Medicare and TRICARE.

Issue 2: MOAA Supports Repeal of Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision (GPO/ WEP ).

Recently, MOAA joined forces with the National Association of Retired Federal Employees ( NARFE ) and 48 other organizations in a coalition to push for the repeal of the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision ( WEP ) in Social Security law.

There are two key bills before Congress that would fix these problems -- S. 349, sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and H.R. 594, sponsored by Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA).

MOAA's Legislative Update for Friday, June 27, 2003:

Issue 1: Coalition Sends Defense Bill Input to Capitol Hill.

This week, MOAA and the 34 other organizations of The Military Coalition ( TMC ) wrote to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees outlining TMC views on key compensation, benefits, and quality-of-life initiatives in the House and Senate versions of the FY 2004 Defense Authorization Bill.

TMC summarized its most important recommendations in a cover letter and enclosed a "side-by-side" analysis of key differences between the two bills, along with recommendations for resolving those differences in the upcoming House-Senate conference committee.

Here is a summary of the top Coalition recommendations:

Military Pay and Allowances. Support Senate proposal to provide an average pay raise of 4.15%, with equal pay raises for the NOAA Corps and U.S. Public Health Service, and codify the principle of comparability with private sector raises in permanent law.

Concurrent Receipt of Retired Pay and VA Disability Compensation. Strongly support Senate proposal to eliminate the VA disability offset to retired pay for all disabled retirees who served long enough to qualify for retirement, independent of any disability.

Military Manpower. TMC supports the House-proposed increases, and restrictions on further force reductions.

Survivor Issues. Support the Senate proposal to raise the death gratuity for survivors of members killed on active duty from $6,000 to $12,000.

TRICARE Improvements. TMC strongly supports the measures in both the House and Senate versions of the Defense bill to improve access to TRICARE Standard providers. Support the Senate proposal to allow National Guard and Reserve service members to buy into TRICARE on a cost-share basis, or offer the option of a partial subsidy of employer-sponsored premiums when the Reservist is deployed.

TMC 's letter and may be found on the MOAA Web site at: http://www.moaa.org/Legislative/ NDAA_Letter.pdf . Scroll to the bottom of the letter for a link to the Defense Bill "side-by-side" recommendations.

Issue 2: Signing Discharge Petition Isn't Partisan

Currently, the discharge petition on H.R. 303 has 201 signatures, 17 short of the 218 needed to move the measure to the House floor.	Unfortunately, the Republican leadership in the House has expressed opposition to the maneuver (recognizing continuing White House opposition), and is urging its members not add their names. Thus far, only one Republican (Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado) has broken ranks and signed the discharge petition. The leadership, for its part, has responded by accusing the Democrats of playing partisan politics with the issue.

We couldn't disagree more. This is only a partisan issue if politicians choose to make it so. Rep. Mike Bilirakis 's H.R. 303

has wide co-sponsorship from both parties (171 Republicans, 173 Democrats, and one Independent). It's not artisan in any way, shape or form to expect legislators of both parties to back up these words with action.

If we are to overcome that opposition, we have to remind legislators that their first duty is to their constituents, not to their party leaders. The only way we're going to move forward is to generate an avalanche of mail to Capitol Hill, and make those who say they support disabled retirees realize that they can't have it both ways.

Even if you have already done so, please take a moment to write your representative and ask him or her to sign the discharge petition. You can use the Action Alert on MOAA's Web site: http://capwiz.com/moaa/home/. You can also try to arrange a meeting with your legislator during next week's July 4th recess. The question you ask can be simple, short, and to the point. "If you support concurrent receipt, and co-sponsored H.R. 303, why don't you sign the petition?" Hotline: (1-877-762-8762) to call your Legislator's office.

Issue 3: Combat-Related Special Compensation ( CRSC ) Update

The Services have received thousands of applications for the new combat-related special compensation ( CRSC ) for certain disabled retirees. But, the processing has been hampered by incomplete documentation, vague explanations of disabilities, and delays in obtaining disability rating codes and other documentation from the VA.

Here are some tips that can help speed the application process:

Provide what supporting documentation you have available along with your application. The Services have wide latitude in what they can consider as evidence, but they need to verify retiree submissions. If you don't document your case, expect a delay while the needed paperwork is gathered from your Service and the VA. Copies (not originals) of your VA award letter and copies of key documents from your service record and VA/military medical record sheets can help. Services will consider any evidence you can provide.

If you know it, include the 4-digit VA Diagnostic Codes (also known as VASRD -VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities), in item 13 of your CRSC application. If you don't know the code, don't guess at it. The VA is working to provide this information to the Services electronically, and hopes to have this capability soon.

Pay particular attention to Item 13 of the CRSC application. This portion of the application explains your qualifying disability. Enter the information for each VA disability condition and describe the circumstances surrounding how, when, and where it was incurred. Case officers are interested in the specific circumstances under which the disability was incurred.

The CRSC Application Form is available on the web at:

http:// www.dior.whs.mil /forms/ DD2860 . pdf

Frequently Asked Questions by Topic, Contact Information and other Web Links are available on MOAA's web site at:

http://www.moaa.org/ BenefitsInfo / crsc / crsc.asp