UPDATE: The DoD is continuing to push for their proposal for using the National Health Expenditure index to drive future TRICARE premium adjustments. Read: Proposal Would Save $3.2 Billion in Health Care Costs.
According to Stars and Stripes, the House of Representatives 2012 Defense Budget proposal includes provisions that would protect military retirees from the Department of Defense's plan to increase TRICARE premiums and fees for another year.
DoD has pushed for TRICARE fee increases for years, pointing out that health care costs could hurt the overall defense budget. But each year Congress grants military retirees a one-year reprieve - essentially kicking the can down the road.
Given the need to somehow cover for rapidly increasing cost of TRICARE, some veteran's groups are now advocating the concept of moderate increases tied to the annual cost-of-living-allowance (COLA) rate. Where do you stand on this issue?
Do you think it is a good idea for Congress to postpone TRICARE increase for another year?online surveys
Read the full article about the House's Proposed 2012 Budget.
