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HomeMy WebLinkAboutpage-3Capitol Flashes *Issue: G.I. Bill Increase Background: House Veterans' Committee Chairman, Christopher Smith (R-N.J.) introduced legislation (H.R. 9291) in March to raise G.I. Bill benefits 70%n in three stages over the next three years. TROA testified in favor of H.R. 9291 in May. Status: Smith worked with House Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle (R-Iowa) to earmark funds for the benefit increase. The House unanimously passed the bill June 19, and it has been referred to the Senate. Issue * COLA Update Background: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose approximately 2.35% for the first eight months of FY 2001. CPI drives cost-of--living adjustments (COLAs) for federal annuity programs. Status: If inflation continues at this pace, the 2002 COLA for military retirees,. Social Security annuitants and the federal COLA recipients will be in the 3.5%n range. Issue* TRICARE For Life (TFL) Documentation of Beneficiaries' Other Health Insurance Background: In late July, DoD was expected to mail Medicare-eligibles a TFL benefits package along with a questionaire requesting their information on their intent to keep or drop any existing Medigap supple- menal insurance coverage. Status: Supplemental insurers should complete and return the questionaire. Not doing so could cause recoupment of duplicate payments to doctors (which would lead to increased reluctance to take TFL patients) or cause TFL claim rejection. Call (888) 363- 5433 for imformation. Health Care / Legislators Warn Against Forced Choices Testimmony was heard on the Hill by experts on VA and DoD health concerns. Neither witness addressed a proposal in the Administration's FY 2002 budget that would require military retirees to choose between DoD or VA for their health care source. Rep. Vic Vic Snyder (D-ARK), the subcommittee's ranking minority member and a Marine Vietnam veteran emphasized that the VA and DoD must "preserve choice" (i.e.,, access to both both health systems.) for military retirees. TROA believes that improved VA and DoD partnering can yield added benefits but opposes initiatives that would disrupt retirees' right and need to use both systems or combine them into one system. What Are Your Legislators' Positions? Senate Cosponsorship Sen. Gramm (R-TX) - SBP Upgrade Document Receipt Keep Promises Flag Amendment Reserve Tax Credit Absentee Voting Sen. Huchinson (R-TX) -SBP Upgrade Docu- ment Receipt Keep Promises Flag Amend- ment Reserve Tax Credit Absentee Voting House Cosponsorship Rep. Brady (R-Tex) - SBP Upgrade Document Receipt Keep Promises Flag Amendment Former Spouse Home Tax Note* means the legislator has signed on as at least one of the bills indicated. Note 2* means the legislator has not signed on as a cosponsor of any of the bills. Former Spouse legislation would update retired pay division rules to end division upon a former spouse's remarriage and base divisible pay on the members' grade and service upon divorce. A indicates a House cosponsor of OH.R.1983 (Ballenger, R-N.C. Home Tax legislation would omit time reassigned on ilitary orders from counting against the capital gains requirement for two years occupancy in the five years preceding the sale of a home. A indicates a House cosponsor of H.R. 1596 (Houghton, R-N.Y.) or H.R. 356 (Jones, R-N.C.) A Devoted member relishing the moment when he one the HAROA 50150 drawing.