"President Vows to Protect TRICARE", latest MOAA Legislative Update

President Vows to Protect TRICARE, VA

We've reported in previous columns and blogs about assurances we've received from legislators and staffers of both parties that there’s no intent to affect TRICARE or VA beneficiaries' benefits or taxes under ongoing national health reform initiatives.

President Obama called a small group of military-oriented reporters in for a White House interview this week to emphasize this point. Syndicated columnist Tom Philpott and the Stars and Stripes ran articles quoting the president as saying this effort will not diminish TRICARE or VA health benefits for service families or retirees.

"While his universal health care plan is still in flux, Obama is promising that none of the changes will affect Tricare or VA health services," according to Stars and Stripes.

We've also said you can never say "never." That's why MOAA and The Military Coalition have sent letters to every member of Congress and why MOAA has generated more than 35,000 member messages to Congress through our Web site, urging legislators to ensure military and VA health coverage isn’t curtailed or taxed under any reform bill.

On the Hill, Reps. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Steve Buyer (R-IN) secured amendments to bills in the House aimed at ensuring those protections.

To date, we haven’t found anyone on the Hill who isn't supportive of protecting VA and TRICARE.