"...A House subcommittee expected to vote soon on whether to recommend raising retiree Tricare fees sharply over the next five years heard some compelling testimony against the move Wednesday.
Retired Air Force Col. Steve Strobridge, co-chair of The Military Coalition, a consortium of 34 military associations and veterans groups, traded debate points with Dr. Jonathan Woodson, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, before the armed services panel on personnel.
Strobridge attacked the Obama administration’s premise that raising Tricare fees on military retirees to help balance defense spending cuts in the current budget crisis does not break faith with the force.
“If keeping faith means no changes for today’s troops on retirement, than it’s breaking faith to raise their [health] fees by [up to] $2000. That’s no different from a $2000 retired pay cut,” he said..."
Retired Air Force Col. Steve Strobridge, co-chair of The Military Coalition, a consortium of 34 military associations and veterans groups, traded debate points with Dr. Jonathan Woodson, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, before the armed services panel on personnel.
Strobridge attacked the Obama administration’s premise that raising Tricare fees on military retirees to help balance defense spending cuts in the current budget crisis does not break faith with the force.
“If keeping faith means no changes for today’s troops on retirement, than it’s breaking faith to raise their [health] fees by [up to] $2000. That’s no different from a $2000 retired pay cut,” he said..."