Congress is out of town this week for Thanksgiving and will return next Monday. At that time we believe they will finally hammer out an FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The House passed its version but the Senate only the SASC passed it. Still there are serious negotiations going on between the two Committee staffs to get to one bill. We are told that the sticking point is the Senate’s proposal for increase pharmacy co-pays for non-active duty TRICARE beneficiaries. This Pentagon proposal was rejected by the House (H.R.4435) but accepted by the SASC.
Now is time to contact your Senators about what could be a serious increase in your medical costs. The Pentagon is stating that it will cost the Defense budget $16 to $18 billion in 5 years if they don’t get their proposed TRICARE pharmacy co-pay and reduce the Basic Housing Allowance (BHA) for service personnel. This is also a good time to contact the members of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) thank them for what they have done so far and urge them to hold firm.