Washington, D.C. – Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) has again joined Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX) to introduce H.R. 816: The Military Retirees’ Health Care Protection Act. The bill would prevent the Department of Defense from increasing health care premiums for approximately three million enlisted and officer retirees under TRICARE, the military’s health insurance system. It would also require the president’s administration to request future increases through Congress.

“This legislation is about offering protection for the men and women who are willing to protect our nation from its enemies, and keeping promises to those who have promised to put themselves in harm’s way when called upon,” Rep. Jones said. “The families of our armed forces deserve consistent health care benefits.”

Rep. Edwards, Chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, said: “I would like to thank Congressman Walter Jones for his leadership on this important issue. We believe the Constitution purposely gave the Congress the power to declare war and to pass appropriations bills, so we think it is reasonable that Congress has a say in approving appropriations for health care programs for those who fight our wars.”

H.R. 816 establishes the principle that it is the responsibility of Congress, not the Pentagon, to establish when and by how much military health fees will be increased. The bill would block the Pentagon from dramatically raising health care fees on military retirees by removing the Secretary of Defense’ current authority to make virtually unlimited increases in four specific areas:

- Enrollment fees for retired members and survivors in TRICARE Prime, the military-managed health plan

- Pharmacy copayments

- Enrollment fees for the new TRICARE Reserve Select program that was implemented last year to maintain health coverage continuity for Guard and Reserve families

- Retiree and survivor copayments for inpatient care

In 2006, the president’s budget proposal included a provision to double premiums for senior enlisted and to triple them for officers, but the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 delayed the increases for one year. For fiscal years 2008 and 2009, the administration’s proposed increases again were blocked by Congress, but no permanent fix was put in place.

The legislation garnered 215 cosponsors during the 110th Congress and received support from numerous organizations representing military retirees, including the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and The Military Coalition (TMC).

For additional information, please contact Kathleen Joyce in Congressman Walter B. Jones’ office at (202) 225-3415.