Proposals to Raise TRICARE Premiums Rejected

"...At the same time the House passed a bill requiring civilian federal employees to contribute more to their pensions, lawmakers on the Armed Services Committee rejected the Obama administration’s proposals to increase the amount military retirees pay for their health care insurance.

The committee advanced the fiscal 2013 National Defense Authorization Act Thursday, approving a 1.7 percent pay raise for military service members next year as well as limiting increases to enrollee pharmacy co-pays under the TRICARE program...."

Read more at GovExec.com

Yes to Military Pay Raise, No to Tricare Hikes for Retirees

"...A House subcommittee is prepared to say “yes” to a 1.7 percent military pay raise but “no way” to the Obama administration’s plans to significantly hike Tricare fees for military retirees and their families.

The military personnel panel of the House Armed Services Committee also is unwilling to create an independent panel to recommend an overhaul of military retired pay. Their chief objection: the Defense Department’s demand that the commission’s recommendations be put on a fast track to approval, limiting the ability of Congress to make changes, according to draft legislation unveiled Wednesday.

Headed by Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., the personnel panel is scheduled to meet Thursday morning to pass its portion of the 2013 defense authorization bill, starting a legislative process expected to last until at least Oct. 1, the start of the fiscal year, and possibly longer if election-year politics interfere with details..."

Read more at Air Force Times