Military's Tricare benefits are too sweet a deal

[uplink5]

By Jose Luis Magana, AP

Health care costs are "eating the Department of Defense alive," says Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

The emphasis is on "little." The annual amount the Pentagon charges retirees for the military's basic Tricare health insurance plan — $460 for family coverage — was set back in 1995. It hasn't changed in 16 years. Can anyone else in the USA say that about his health premiums?

Gates' proposal requires retirees to pay an extra $5 a month for family coverage, or $2.50 a month for individuals. Even then, health coverage for military retirees would still be extraordinarily cheap: $520 a year for families and $260 a year for individuals.

Compare those figures with premiums in the civilian world: The average worker with employer-provided insurance pays about $4,000 a year for a family plan.

Health insurance for military retirees was always meant to be inexpensive, as part of the compensation for servicemembers' sacrifice: They relocate frequently and must serve at least 20 years to qualify for retiree benefits, often away from their families and in harm's way. But the disparity is simply too big to defend at a time of strained budgets. The House passed a major defense bill last week that included the fee increases.

Even if those increases pass the Senate, too, they don't go far enough. Monthly increases the price of a Starbucks latte will barely dent the Pentagon's spending on health care, which has nearly tripled in the past decade, to more than $50 billion this year. That's about one-tenth of the Pentagon's basic budget.

There is still plenty of room to pare back health care costs while treating servicemembers fairly. Many retire in their 40s after 20 years and join private companies that offer employer-provided health insurance. But some 60% keep Tricare because it's so much cheaper, and who can blame them? One useful proposal is to change the rules to encourage retirees who can get private insurance to take it. Other ideas include restoring premiums to inflation-adjusted 1995 levels and allowing future Tricare fees to rise along with health care costs.

Contrary to myths spread by opponents of Gates' proposals, active-duty servicemembers and their dependents will still get health care for free. That's as it should be. Wounded warriors, low-income veterans, those with service-related disabilities, former POWs and others will still qualify for free care from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Read it here
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I suspect this is just the beginning and who knows where we'll end up with our healthcare when this group is done. I'm not feeling very confident for the future.....jd

[Pete]

"Free Health Care for Life"

The first mistake was "compromise" on that first little fee.

Well, we never did promise you free health care for life. Can you find it anywhere in writing? But for the sake of compromise we'll just add this one little fee - for life.

[sinjefe]

this is connected to DOD reviewing military retirement. It is obvious that either Gates has never worn a uniform during conflict or it has been so long, since he has that he has forgotten. You cannot compare what the 1% of the US population serving and sacrificing does to anything in the civilian sector. Those serving and those that have served deserve every penny of benefits, and then some. Unconscionable.

[bluebb]

Yes it is pay but for me, SFC 21 years, it is only enough for a mortgage. That is really ok by me, I served and I got my little plot of land and a house. I think soldiers through the ages basiclly have done the same. The medical fee, if we pay like civilians could take my retiree pay down to the point where I and others can't afford our little plot of land and that would be s shame.

Blue

[rdret1]

Originally Posted by bluebb

Yes it is pay but for me, SFC 21 years, it is only enough for a mortgage. That is really ok by me, I served and I got my little plot of land and a house. I think soldiers through the ages basiclly have done the same. The medical fee, if we pay like civilians could take my retiree pay down to the point where I and others can't afford our little plot of land and that would be s shame.

Blue

Agreed 100%. Tricare Prime is a pain in the ass at times, but I still can't really complain about the availablity of services. Family coverage through the police department is currently around $400.00 a month for the same coverage we have with Tricare. There is no way I could afford that on top of Tricare, plus the copays are more than we now pay, especially on prescription drugs!

[Pete]

Originally Posted by rdret1

........ There is no way I could afford that on top of Tricare, plus the copays are more than we now pay, especially on prescription drugs!

It is interesting that Tricare (government health care) is complaining that it's too expensive and the folks running it want to increase fees - or push you off on your new company health care plan - or throw you off all together if you're rich.....

But under Obamacare the overall plan is single payer government health care.

So if the US can't afford to provide it's verterans health care how the Hell are they going to do it for everybody.

Or everybody will just get the same crappy low level care. Rationed care - death panels anyone?

[kgoerz]

Compare those figures with premiums in the civilian world: The average worker with employer-provided insurance pays about $4,000 a year for a family plan.

I have Tricare being retired Military. But I also have my current work health care. It's their most kick ass coverage. I pay about $1300.00 a year. Not even close to the average. Where did they pull that number from.
Yep, everyone hates us Federal workers and all our benefits. Didn't seem to be much bitching about us federal workers when the economy was booming, peoples 401k's were going thru the roof, .com boom...etc. Can't have it both ways dummies. Hope they enjoyed the high life before it got repossessed or for-closed on. Ill live the Mid life and sleep well at night.
Fighting a 10+ year War with an all volunteer force. They really shouldn't screw with that. Also the last thing the Military wants is draftees.

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by kgoerz

Yep, everyone hates us Federal workers and all our benefits. Didn't seem to be much bitching about us federal workers when the economy was booming, peoples 401k's were going thru the roof, .com boom...etc. Can't have it both ways dummies. Hope they enjoyed the high life before it got repossessed or for-closed on.

It ain't right, those in the military don't make the money the private sector which is why the get/got the benefits they do or did. And even in the not too distant past Public Servants received lower wages then the private sector employees but they to had great benefits. It was a trade off.

Booming economy and retirement savings going through the roof puts blinders on folks. Now that things have slowed way down folks don't have as much to share with you Feds and they have time (2.5 years) to digest what has been going on ( how their representatives have screwed the pooch) in DC for the past few decades so they could get re-elected.

Ill live the Mid life and sleep well at night.

At least for awhile......promises are only as good one making the promise and these days contracts are broken without much thought.

If things continue as they are, what you have at present may be discontinued or spread among the masses for the greater good in the future.

[MtnGoat]

I say like it has been done may times on here. Stop paying Health care and retirement for all the U.S. Representatives and U.S. Congress members. They do one term and get everything. Stop that and let’s see who will cry about their benefits.

[rdret1]

Originally Posted by MtnGoat

I say like it has been done may times on here. Stop paying Health care and retirement for all the U.S. Representatives and U.S. Congress members. They do one term and get everything. Stop that and let’s see who will cry about their benefits.

Definitely! Politicians have more benefits than any service member or retiree, and don't work half as long or hard.

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by NORMAL550GIRL

Suit 'em up, and stick 'em in the middle of Iraq or A'stan and tell them they have to really earn it from now on. *

And Pete, exactly what I was thinking, as well. They can't afford the military benefits, how are they going to afford it for everyone?



(*ok, and I didn't earn it either -- but I am honestly mad on behalf of you all as well as my better half. )

Burlap bag, some rocks and a deep pond are looking better everyday.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by NORMAL550GIRL

Suit 'em up, and stick 'em in the middle of Iraq or A'stan and tell them they have to really earn it from now on. *

And Pete, exactly what I was thinking, as well. They can't afford the military benefits, how are they going to afford it for everyone?



(*ok, and I didn't earn it either -- but I am honestly mad on behalf of you all as well as my better half. )

When are you running for public office?

[AngelsSix]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

When are you running for public office?

I know, right??

[uplink5]

Originally Posted by NORMAL550GIRL

Very nice you two, however, too many skeletons poised to come out dancing.

During my wild teen and twenties, I might have inhaled.

Of course, I can neither confirm nor deny....

That might guarantee 40% of the vote right there.
.........

[1stindoor]

Originally Posted by NORMAL550GIRL

Very nice you two, however, too many skeletons poised to come out dancing.

During my wild teen and twenties, I might have inhaled.

Of course, I can neither confirm nor deny....

Well that makes you smarter than at least one former president...he didn't know you were supposed to inhale...and he got elected twice.