Author Archives: Gene Fenstermacher

egislative Update 22 November 2016: What’s Happening on Pay, Manpower, TRICARE, and SBP?

We have one Action Item this Thanksgiving week at the first Issue below

                                                        Issues 

                             Click on the underlined titles below:

 

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON PAY, MANPOWER, TRICARE, AND SBP?

Members of Congress will have a full plate when they get back from the Thanksgiving holiday

Future of FY17 defense bill uncertain – and you can help by sending a MOAA-suggested message.

 
 

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY: CLOSURE IS PREFERABLE TO RESTRICTING RETIREES

Over 6,800 participated in MOAA’s survey

MOAA members overwhelmingly favor expansion options instead of eligibility changes at Arlington National Cemetery.

 
 

NEW REPORT KNOCKS DOD’S EFFORT TO ACHIEVE COMMISSARY BUDGET NEUTRALITY

DoD falls short of congressional mandate

GAO report cites lack of data to support proposed commissary changes.

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

                                             Collectively We Can and Are Making a Difference

 

FOR ALL, Please feel free to pass these Weekly Legislative Updates on to your group of Veteran Friends –

don’t be concerned with possible duplications – if your friends are as concerned as we are with Veteran issues, they probably won’t mind getting this from two or more friendly sources.

.                   That’s it for today- Thanks for your continuing help!

 

Legislative Update 18 November 2016: Will Your 2017 COLA Be Wiped Out?

We have no Action Items this week

                                           Issues 

                  Click on the underlined titles below:

 

2017 PART B PREMIUMS ANNOUNCED

Will your entire COLA increase get wiped out?

Find out how much you’ll pay for health care next year.

 
 

KEEP YOUR GOVERNMENT HANDS OFF MY [BLANK] 

Your voice matters beyond Election Day

In his November As I See It column, MOAA Government Relations VP Col. Steve Strobridge, USAF (Ret) says the issues weren’t won or lost on Nov. 8.

 
 

COLA BUBBLES — UP 

October CPI announced

The FY17 COLA starts in the black for the first time since 2012.

 
 

TRICARE CONTRACTS WON’T BE CHANGED

GAO rejects protests of contract awards

DoD is moving forward, but the fight may not be over.

 

 

 

 

 

                                             Collectively We Can and Are Making a Difference

 

FOR ALL, Please feel free to pass these Weekly Legislative Updates on to your group of Veteran Friends –

don’t be concerned with possible duplications – if your friends are as concerned as we are with Veteran issues, they probably won’t mind getting this from two or more friendly sources.

.                    That’s it for today- Thanks for your continuing help!

 

Legislative Update 10 November 2016: Trump’s Military: What Troops Can Expect from Their Next Commander in Chief

                  A day early this week because of the Veteran’s Day Holiday tomorrow

                                            We have no Action Items this week

If you did not participate in the Arlington National Cemetery survey last week, you may do so this week at the last issue below. But do so when you have 5 to 10 minutes to spare.

                                           Issues 

                  Click on the underlined titles below:

 

TRUMP’S MILITARY: WHAT TROOPS CAN EXPECT FROM THEIR NEXT COMMANDER IN CHIEF

Potential boost in troop levels and more?

MOAA takes a look at what’s to come for America’s military.

 
 

CHANGES ON THE HILL – VETS IN CONGRESS

Outlook for the 115th Congress

Will the downward trend continue?

 
 

ARE VETS HEALTHIER THAN NON-VETS?

MOAA partners on survey with United Health Foundation

See how veterans’ health compares to the rest of the nation

 
 

ARLINGTON — MAYBE NOT YOUR FINAL RESTING PLACE?

We’re looking for your feedback

If you didn’t take it last week, please take a moment to complete our 5-minute survey.

 

 

 

 

    Collectively We Can and Are Making a Difference

 

FOR ALL, Please feel free to pass these Weekly Legislative Updates on to your group of Veteran Friends –

don’t be concerned with possible duplications – if your friends are as concerned as we are with Veteran issues, they probably won’t mind getting this from two or more friendly sources.

.                                                               That’s it for today- Thanks for your continuing help!

 

 

Legislative Update 4 November 2016: Arlington – Maybe Not Your Final Resting Place?

                                            We have One Action Item today at the Second Issue

If you decide to participate in the survey at Issue 1, do so when you have 5 to 10 minutes to spare.

 

                                           Issues 

                  Click on the underlined titles below:

ARLINGTON — MAYBE NOT YOUR FINAL RESTING PLACE?

Without action, Arlington Nation Cemetery will be full in 25-35 years

We’re looking for your feedback. Please take a moment to complete our five-minute survey.

 
 

BURN PIT REPORT REIGNITES TROOP EXPOSURE CONCERNS

Report shows little progress assessing burn pit health problems

What more should DoD and VA do?

 
 

COMMISSARY REVENUE CONTINUES DECLINE

MWR programs negatively affected

Potential exchange fix tied up in red tape.

 
 

WHY TIE MILIARY KIDS TO MEDICARE?

Military children with terminal illnesses aren’t getting needed care

Medicare rules don’t work for kids.

 

 

 

 

   Collectively We Can and Are Making a Difference

FOR ALL, Please feel free to pass these Weekly Legislative Updates on to your group of Veteran Friends – don’t be concerned with possible duplications – if your friends are as concerned as we are with Veteran issues, they probably won’t mind getting this from two or more friendly source                                    That’s it for today- Thanks for your continuing help!

 

Legislative Update 28 October 2016: What Raise Do Troops Deserve for 2018?

                                            We have No Action Items today.

                                           Issues 

                  Click on the underlined titles below:

 

PENTAGON HALTS GUARD BONUS RECOUPMENT

Amid uproar, Pentagon stops in its tracks

A decade ago, at the height of war, thousands of California National Guard and Reserve members were given hefty reenlistment bonuses. Now the Guard says they were overpaid, and Congress has gotten involved to protest recoupment.

 
 

WHAT RAISE DO TROOPS DESERVE FOR 2018?

Average American’s raise measured

Will troops’ raise meet that standard?

 
 

SHOULD OFFICERS VOTE? MAJOR SAYS NO; MOAA SAYS YES

Controversial op-ed riles military community

MOAA reached out to the writer of a recent editorial that encouraged you to sit out this election.

 
 

TOP 5 MILITARY-HEAVY DISTRICTS

Top congressional districts for retirees and survivors

Forget toss-ups and swing districts. What’s your pick for the one with the most military votes?

If you were forwarded this email, please click here to join MOAA and receive further communications.

 

 

 

 

Collectively We Can and Are Making a Difference

 

FOR ALL, Please feel free to pass these Weekly Legislative Updates on to your group of Veteran Friends –

don’t be concerned with possible duplications – if your friends are as concerned as we are with Veteran issues, they probably won’t mind getting this from two or more friendly sources.

.                                                               That’s it for today- Thanks for your continuing help!

 

Legislative Update 21 October 2016: Diet (small) COLA May Cause Headache

We have 2 Action Items today. Click on S.3042 and H.R. 5426 at the third issue below.

                                               Issues 

                  Click on the underlined titles below: 

DIET COLA MAY CAUSE HEADACHE

Next year’s cost-of-living adjustment announced

Small COLA means steep Part B premium hikes for many.

 
 

NEW PREVENTATIVE SERVICES NOW COVERED BY TRICARE

Take advantage of new coverage

Well-child visits and cancer screenings should cost you less.

 
 

COURT RULES AGAINST RESERVIST WHILE CONGRESS MULLS LEGISLATIVE FIXES

Courts say protection takes a law change

Employers’ mandatory arbitration clauses trump some USERRA protections.

 
 

HOLY MACRA! NEW MEDICARE/TRICARE PAYMENT SYSTEM COMING

Focusing on quality over volume

MACRA aims for cost-effective and outcome-based health care.

 

 

 

 

 Collectively We Can and Are Making a Difference

 

FOR ALL, Please feel free to pass these Weekly Legislative Updates on to your group of Veteran Friends –

don’t be concerned with possible duplications – if your friends are as concerned as we are with Veteran issues, they probably won’t mind getting this from two or more friendly sources.

.                                                               That’s it for today- Thanks for your continuing help!