We have no Action Items today

 

Summary of Issues

At Issue 1. we see GOVERNMENT SLASHES MILITARY RETIREMENT. Major changes coming to system. Despite a veto threat from the White House over funding priorities, Congress moves forward with a controversial defense bill. (See Issue 1 below for the details. GF) 

At Issue 2. we see HOW DID YOUR LEGISLATORS SCORE? Want to know where your legislators stand on six key MOAA issues?. (See Issue 2 below for the details. GF) 

At Issue 3. we see TRICARE PHARMACY CHANGES COMING.  New rules begin this week. How you get your prescriptions is about to change. (See Issue 3 below for the details. GF)

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

 

ISSUES

 

Issue 1. GOVERNMENT SLASHES MILITARY RETIREMENT

October 2, 2015

House and Senate conferees finally agreed to move forward with an annual defense bill, one with a lower than expected pay raise and significant changes to military pay and benefits.

Military Pay

The defense bill capped the active duty pay raise at 1.3 percent. This marks a third consecutive year of pay caps, and continues to undo a decade of work by Congress to eliminate a 13.5 percent wage gap between military and private sector pay.

Pay caps add up. An active duty O-3 with 10 years of service has now lost over $1,800 since pay caps started.

Military Retirement

The bill also includes major changes to military retirement. Beginning in 2018, the new system will cut military retirement by 20 percent, and decrease the disability retirement calculation in order to provide a five percent government match to federal Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) accounts held by military members.

The intent of the plan is to provide a portable retirement benefit to troops exiting service prior to serving a full career. However, servicemembers are already eligible to use TSP, albeit without a government contribution.

MOAA has supported government matching of personal Thrift Savings Plan accounts, but it should not come at the expense of cutting military retirement, or cutting the payments to medically retired service men and women.

The new retirement plan provides an automatic one percent government contribution to TSP accounts, with an additional match of up to four percent of a servicemember’s contribution. Earlier proposals stopped government contributions after 20 years of service. Lawmakers compromised and agreed to extend government matching up to 26 years of service.

MOAA will continue to advocate for government matching for a full career.

The new plan also allows for a lump sum distribution of a portion of retired pay.

Current servicemembers and retirees will be grandfathered into the current retirement system. Servicemembers with less than 12 years of service will have the option to opt-in to the new program.

Slashing military retirement by 20 percent and providing a ‘401k-style’ benefit will erode career retention and provide a greater incentive for members to leave service early. Because the policy funds the new vesting provisions by imposing major cutbacks in benefits for those staying for a career, MOAA has great concerns about the impact on long-term readiness and retention.

Congress also repealed the final section of a complicated COLA-reducing law for future military retirees. Future retirees were originally subject to a one-percentage point reduction in annual retirement COLA until age 62. At age 62, military retired pay would be recalculated and receive full COLA increases.

MOAA was instrumental in repealing the COLA change, with members sending 300,000 messages to Capitol Hill in just a few months.

TRICARE

MOAA is grateful Congress rejected proposals to means-test annual TRICARE fees and implement new enrollment fees for TRICARE For Life beneficiaries, at least for now.

Congress also rejected proposals to consolidate TRICARE Prime and Standard. Under those proposals, beneficiaries would have been subject to the enrollment fees of TRICARE Standard without the guaranteed access of TRICARE Prime. In essence, beneficiaries would be paying more for less.

Although lawmakers rejected major changes to TRICARE this year, they made no bones about the fact that now that they’ve overhauled military retirement, their next focus will be on health care. In report language, lawmakers warned, “… that comprehensive reform of the military health care system is essential” and “all elements of the current system must be re-evaluated, and that increases to fees and copays will be a necessary part of such a comprehensive reform effort.”

Prescription Copays

One of the most contentious issues in the defense bill was the future of prescription copays. The administration’s original budget called for 10 years of TRICARE pharmacy increases.

Senate lawmakers agreed, and proposed increases of 25 to 125 percent.

Proposals to increase prescription copays fail to take into account that TRICARE beneficiaries now pay 145 percent more since 2011, and that pharmacy copays are already indexed to annual COLAs.

Fortunately, House conferees prevailed over the Senate, but had to concede to a one-year increase in prescription drug prices.

Survivor Benefits

The defense bill also included language to correct an inequity for military survivors. The bill authorizes Survivor Benefit Plan coverage for a spouse in the event a former spouse predeceases the servicemember.

Commissaries

Original budget proposals called for both a consolidation of the commissary and exchange systems and a dramatic cut in commissary funding.

Those plans were thwarted thanks largely to the work of Sens. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and James Inhofe (R-Okla.). They delayed any privatization efforts until further cost saving studies on the proposal are conducted. Sen. Mikulski also led the effort to restore over $300 million in commissary funding.

The commissary budget only decreased slightly because of Mikulski’s efforts.  Patrons would have seen a reduction in the number of days open and operating hours.

The defense bill fell short on major MOAA-supported issues. The bill did not include provisions to:

• End the “widow’s tax” for military survivors
• Expand concurrent receipt for disabled retirees
• Establish that career reservists with no active duty service are deemed veterans of the armed forces

“We are disappointed in the final defense bill and its adverse effect on military families,” says MOAA President Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN (Ret). “We must reverse this trend of eroding pay and benefits because we’re sending the wrong signal to the troops at the wrong time.”

With the political horizon looking the way it is, MOAA’s membership will be even more important next year to protect hard-earned benefits in service to the nation.

 

Issue 2. HOW DID YOUR LEGISLATORS SCORE?

 

Where Do Your Legislators Stand? 

The summary below shows the positions of your senators and representative on a number of key issues important to MOAA members. This summary reflects legislators’ status as cosponsors of MOAA-supported bills rather than actual votes on the issues, except as noted in the explanations below.

 

Senators are listed first, with Representatives listed below the Senators by state.

“ + ” means the legislator has sponsored or cosponsored one of the associated bills listed below. “ – ” means the legislator has not cosponsored any of the relevant bills.

 

Note 1: Your legislator identification is based on your mailing address in your MOAA membership record unless you have given MOAA a separate voting address.

 

Note 2: Many congressional/committee leaders have a policy against cosponsoring bills on issues within their purview.

 

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) legislation would reduce or end the deduction of VA survivor benefits from SBP annuities or increase the amounts payable to survivors subject to deduction. A “+” indicates Senate cosponsorship of S. 979 (Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.) or House cosponsorship of H.R. 1594 (Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C.).

 

Concurrent Receipt legislation would reduce or eliminate the deduction of VA disability compensation from military retired pay. A “+” indicates Senate cosponsorship of S. 271 (Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.) or House cosponsorship of H.R. 303 (Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla.) or H.R. 333 (Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Ga.).

 

Caregiver Expansion legislation would allow veterans of all eras eligible for the full range of caregiver support services through the VA. A “+” indicates Senate cosponsorship of S. 1085 (Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.), or House cosponsorship of H.R. 1969 (Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I.).

 

Vet Status legislation would grant veteran status to members of the Reserve Components who served a career of 20 years or more and are military retirees, but who through no fault of their own are not recognized by our government as “veterans.” A “+” indicates Senate cosponsorship of S. 743 (Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark.), or House cosponsorship of H.R. 1384 (Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn.).

 

Women Veterans VA Access legislation would improve services and standards for women veterans using the VA. A “+” indicates Senate cosponsorship of S. 471 (Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev.) or House cosponsorship of H.R. 1356 (Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colo.).

 

Spouse Employment legislation would provide a tax credit to military spouses who must pursue new licensing or certification in a different state due to their servicemember’s military ordered relocation. A “+” indicates Senate cosponsorshi

 

Want to know where your legislators stand on six key MOAA issues?

 

Get your personalized results in the October edition of Military Officer (And/or Click on HOW DID YOUR LEGISLATORS SCORE? here or above to see the details. GF)

 

Issue 3. TRICARE PHARMACY CHANGES COMING

October 2, 2015

Starting Oct. 1, most TRICARE beneficiaries are required to fill their long-term prescriptions via mail-order or through military treatment facility (MTF) pharmacies.

What began as a pilot program for TRICARE For Life (TFL) beneficiaries in 2013, a provision in last year’s defense bill expanded the mail-order program to all TRICARE beneficiaries. However, unlike the pilot program, beneficiaries will not have the option to opt-out of the program after one year.

Maintenance medications are used to treat long-term conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

According to the Defense Health Agency, moving TFL beneficiaries into the mail-order program helped result in almost 80 percent of the cost savings the agency claims.

“The overwhelming majority of people using mail-order give the program positive reviews for convenience and cost-savings,” said Capt. Kathy Beasley, USN (Ret), Deputy Director of Government Relations at MOAA. “While it unfortunately restricts some choice for beneficiaries, this is one of the few programs that actually saves both the user and the government money.”

Using mail-order for a 90 day supply of medication saves 66 percent from what retail locations charge.

In previous MOAA surveys, almost 97 percent of respondents gave the mail-order program favorable ratings.

By now, most TRICARE beneficiaries should have received notices about switching maintenance medications into the mail-order system.

Three categories of beneficiaries are exempt from the new requirements:

• Beneficiaries currently serving on active duty
• Beneficiaries with other health insurance (OHI) that provide drug coverage; and
• Beneficiaries living overseas

Beneficiaries using maintenance medications need to enroll in the mail-order system or obtain medications through MTF pharmacies.

If you are unsure if your prescriptions are affected, you can call the number provided by Express Scripts: 1-877-882-3335.

For more information on the TRICARE Mail Order Program, check out MOAA’s Frequently Asked Questions.

(Click on MOAA’s Frequently Asked Questions. here or above for more information GF)

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

SPECIAL Veterans Legislative Action 

 

 

US House Bill HR 1266  will be considered on Wednesday morning by the US ‘House Financial Services Committee’. Arizona Representatives David Schweikert and Kyrsten Simea are members of this committee and Representative Simea is a cosponsor of this Bill. It is believed that this Bill will weaken the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and its ability to protect servicemembers, veterans and their families.

 

HR 1266 text is available at:  http://1.usa.gov/1h2TVis) .  There is also concern about possible amendments to other legislation that may seek to achieve the same harmful goal of HR1266.

 

There are considerable accountability mechanisms built into the CFPB leadership structure, making it already one of the most transparent and accountable federal financial agencies. These accountability mechanisms include:

 

–          The CFPB provides detailed semi-annual reports to Congress—only the Federal Reserve is subject to the same requirement.

–          The CFPB director is appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate and can be removed for cause.

–          The CFPB is subject to an annual GAO audit.

–          The CFPB’s enforcement actions can be appealed.

–          The CFPB’s budget is capped – no other financial regulator has a budget ceiling written into law.

–          The CFPB is required to conduct a lengthy rule-making process to evaluate small business impact.

Why change something that is already working well? The CFPB currently has a very high bar to clear when issuing enforcement actions to stop abusive debt collection, hidden loan fees, or 300 percent payday loans and has taken a data-driven and measured approach to doing so.  If the CFPB were to be re-organized as a commission, the rules and enforcement actions that have made the financial services market more fair for servicemembers, veterans and their families may never see the light of day.

 

And when regulators are structured as a commission, they often suffer from gridlock and unfilled positions that result from partisan in-fighting.  As a result of its single director leadership structure, the CFPB has completed its mandated rulemakings on time and has the independence to take decisive action to protect consumers before bad practices threaten the economy.  This bill will also make it more difficult for the CFPB to take the necessary actions to protect servicemembers, veterans and their families from financial abuse.

 

Below is a draft Email for sending to all Arizona Congressional District offices, which addresses  why a strong CFPB with a single director is critical to preventing gridlock and ensuring that servicemember, Veterans and their families are protected from financial abuse.

 

 

When you are ready to forward the Recommended Message (at the end of this Email) to the offices of our Representatives, an easy way for you to do this is as follows:

 

1. Click on “Forward” from this message.
2. Edit the Recommended Messagethat appears at the end of the new Email if desired.
3. Enter your name (and retired Rank if you are a Military Retiree) after the word ‘Respectfully‘ at the end of the message. And it is recommended that you include your full address below your name (and phone number if desired) to establish your credibility as a resident of Arizona.Include as much of this information as you may be comfortable with. Then delete all of the text in the new Email from the top of this message down to the top of these instructions
4. Copy: ‘ House Financial Services Committee Vote on HR 1266 ’ and paste it in place of the original subject of your new Email
5. Now  copy the column of Staffer Email addresses shown below and paste it on the To:line above (put your cursor on the To: line above and then hit ‘Ctrl’ and ‘V’ simultaneously.. NOTE: If your Email system has problems with Email address separated by semicolon, change the semi-colons to commas.
6. Then(very importantly)  high light the blue line shown below (just above the salutation and text of the Recommended Message) and everything above it. 
7. Then hit “Delete”on your keyboard . That will leave just the message (edited as may have been desired) that now appears below where the blue line was as the text of your new Email. Be sure nothing appears before the salutation of the message, and that you have put your name and desired detail at the end of the message.
8. Then you can hit “Send” to send your Email.

 

NOTE: If you should have any problems with any addresses (or get a rejection when trying to send your Email – just delete the problem address) and/or if you want to make a personal call to your Representative’s staffer on this issue, their phone numbers are also shown below

 

Another way to send that message is as follows:

1. Copy and enter: House Financial Services Committee Vote on HR 1266 as the Subject for a new Email

 

2. Copy the Recommended Messagebelow and paste it in the body of a new Email,

 

3. Edit the draft text as may be desired and add your name at the end. And if desired (recommended), below your name add your home address, Email address and/or phone number if desired.

 

4. Copy the column of Staffer Email addressesshown below and paste it on the To: line of a new Email.

 

5. Be sure that only the message to our Representative’s staffer appears as the text of your message, with your name at the end.

 

6. Then hit “Send” to send your Email.

 

 

. Collectively we can make a difference! 

 

 

Arizona House of Representatives Staffer Email Addresses 

 

Staffer

Franks, Trent			Stephanie Hammond	Legislative Director	[email protected];	(202) 225-4576
Gallego, Ruben			Matthew Lee	Legislative Director	[email protected];	(202) 225-4065
Gosar, Paul			Michael Mansour	Legislative Assistant	[email protected];	(202) 225-2315
Grijalva, Raúl M.			Kelsey Mishkin	Legislative Director	[email protected];	(202) 225-2435
Kirkpatrick, Ann			Kenneth Montoya	Legislative Director	[email protected];	(202) 225-3361
McSally, Martha			Aaron Falk	Military Legislative Assistant	[email protected];	(202) 225-2542
Salmon, Matt			Greg Safsten	Legislative Assistant	[email protected];	(202) 225-2635
Schweikert, David			Michelle Stoika	Legislative Aide	[email protected];	(202) 225-2190
Sinema, Kyrsten			Alyssa Marois	Legislative Assistant	[email protected];	(202) 225-9888

 

 

Recommended Message

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Dear Staffer, please pass to your Congressional District Representative today.

 

Dear Representative,

 

While I may not be one of your constituents, I am sure that the concerns of Veterans statewide is of concern to you.  I am therefore reaching out to you to express my concern about HR 1266,

 

HR 1266 will weaken the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by changing its leadership structure from a single director to a commission (see  http://1.usa.gov/1h2TVis).  Nearly every other bank regulator has a single director confirmed by and accountable to Congress.  When regulators are structured as a commission, they often suffer from gridlock and unfilled positions that result from partisan in-fighting.  As a result of its single director leadership structure, the CFPB has completed its mandated rulemakings on time and has the independence to take decisive action to protect consumers before bad practices threaten the economy.  This bill will also make it more difficult to take the necessary actions to protect servicemembers, veterans and their families from financial abuse.  Likewise, we are very concerned about possible amendments to other Legislation that seek to achieve the same harmful goal of HR 1266 and urge you to oppose both the bill and any similar amendments that weaken the CFPB.

 

I would like to particularly note the impressive track record of the CFPB’s Office of Servicemember Affairs and its work protecting servicemembers, veterans and their families from financial abuse.

 

A strong CFPB is critical to ensuring that lenders comply with new military financial protections:  The CFPB has enforcement authority for the Military Lending Act, which was recently strengthened by the Department to Defense to close loopholes that allowed payday and car title lenders to target servicemembers with predatory loans.  Examples of predatory loans that were made to servicemembers by abusing loopholes in the previous rules are available starting on page 31: http://bit.ly/1QDzSUb.

 

The CFPB continues to find violations of the Servicemember Civil Relief (SCRA) Act.  The Office of Servicemember Affairs continues to document cases where servicemembers are not getting the critical interest rate protections on debts occurred before military service or protections against default judgments while deployed.  One servicemember received an interest rate hike on his student loans and was unable to obtain the SCRA-mandated interest reduction even after repeated attempts. In another instance, a credit card company improperly sought a default judgment against a servicemember while he was deployed which affected his security clearance – a practice prohibited by the SCRA. (See http://bit.ly/1ekcgqh).

 

Servicemembers, veterans and their families continue to turn to the CFPB for help with financial issues.  Servicemember, veteran and dependent complaints to the CFPB have risen steadily since July 2011. In 2014, the CFPB received more than 17,000 complaints from servicemembers, veterans, and their family members.  In response to abusive practices, the CFPB has recovered more than $1.6 million in damages.  (see:  http://1.usa.gov/1glhB1Y).

 

I am asking you to urge your House colleagues who will be voting on this Bill in the House Financial Services Committee’ on Wednesday 30 Sep 2015 to vote in  opposition to HR 1266 and any other effort to weaken the CFPB or put servicemembers, veterans and their families at risk of financial abuse.

 

Respectfully,

MOAA Newsletter — October 2015-1

We have no Action Items today

 

 

Summary of Issues

At Issue 1. we see GIVE TROOPS THE PAY THEY DESERVE.  MOAA President takes to Defense One to urge lawmakers to protect military benefits. As recruitment slips, it’s clear we need to give our troops a raise.(See Issue 1 below for the details. GF) 

At Issue 2. we see. WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF A FISCAL TRAIN WRECK?  Budget negotiations take a dramatic turn as House Speaker John Boehner resigns. Congress buys (only a little) time on contentious issues. (See Issue 2 below for the details. GF) 

At Issue 3. we see. LEGISLATIVE CHAMPION RETIRES.  MOAA salutes true military advocate. Dedication and hard work led to many legislative victories. (See Issue 3 below for the details. GF)

At Issue 4. we see WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO FIX THE VA? Commission meets to asses VA health care. A new commission undertakes an ambitious plan on VA care for the next century. (See Issue 4 below for the details. GF)   

At Issue 5. we see LET MOAA MAKE YOUR YEAR. Want to win a vacation to the destination of your choice? This is a limited-time offer. Enter and share before time runs out. Refer friends to gain more entries. (Click on LET MOAA MAKE YOUR YEAR here or above for the details. GF)    

.

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

 

ISSUES

 

Issue 1. GIVE TROOPS THE PAY THEY DESERVE

September 18, 2015 By Norb Ryan 

Author

Norb Ryan, a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral, is president and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America, or MOAA. Full Bio

The Senate is all that stands between troops and the pay and benefits they actually deserve. Military families have done enough and the future force is at stake.

At a time when the United States is conducting dangerous operations across the globe, it is incredibly disappointing to see President Barack Obama’s administration and key defense lawmakers champion the degradation of pay and benefits to the one weapon that has never let us down: our men and women in uniform.

Equally disheartening, the president recently told Congress he intends to cap the military pay raise a full percentage point below inflation. When will this erosion of pay for the all-volunteer force stop?

The Military Officers Association of America, or MOAA, holds out hope those in Congress will make the right decision to support the troops during the upcoming defense bill debate.

MOAA is not oblivious to the burden sequestration has forced on defense planners. Former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno said the Army would be unable to fulfill its mission if sequestration continues.

The declining morale in the force is real. Last year, troops reported lower overall job satisfaction and declining interest in reenlistment last year. In February, the services’ top enlisted gave Congress the same warning.

Look at the situation from the troops’ perspective: frequent and dangerous long deployments; lower pay; higher costs for food, housing, and health care; not to mention the uncertainty of getting a pink slip downrange – or worse. Is this the kind of environment you’d want to work and live in or have your spouse exposed to?

Unless the House’s position prevails in the ongoing conference with the Senate, military families will face a third straight year of pay caps. The last five pay raises have been the smallest in the history of the all-volunteer force. Add to that another year of depressed housing allowances, higher prices at on-base stores due to hundreds of millions of dollars being slashed from the commissary budget, and proposals to make retirees pay more for health care.

Military families have done their part with selfless service and sacrifice over a decade-plus of combat operations. They remain resilient, but with continued calls to erode pay and benefits, cracks are starting to show. For only the third time in 20 years, the Army may fall short of its recruitment numbers, USA Today reported.

Retirees have also shared in the sacrifice. Since 2011, beneficiaries have seen TRICARE Prime enrollment fees increase by 23 percent (2011 and 2015 figures), double the rate of inflation over the same period. Over the same time span, TRICARE beneficiaries’’ retail pharmacy copays have risen by a whopping 145 percent.

Pitting readiness against personnel is a false choice and a breach of faith. Anyone who has conducted a foot patrol on the streets of Iraq or dealt with tribal leaders in Afghanistan can tell you once trust is breached, you lose the hearts and minds of those around you.

The solution is simple: Congress needs to support both readiness and the people programs necessary to sustain the force. It is not a case of one or the other.

At a time when voices across America say that sustaining our armed forces is Job One, Senate lawmakers remain the main obstacle to passing a commonsense defense budget that protects both the nation and the men and women who serve to protect it. The administration’s and Senate’s ill-advised stance on total military compensation threatens to undermine the future of the all-volunteer force.

The military community wants to be part of the solution, and it has been – but when is enough, enough?

 

Issue 2. WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF A FISCAL TRAIN WRECK?

September 25, 2015

Following the surprise announcement by House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) that he will resign at the end of next month, lawmakers threatening a government shutdown agreed to a funding proposal to keep the government running – for now.

“The commitment has been made that there will be no shutdown,” said Rep. John Fleming (R-La.).

House and Senate leaders now seem poised to agree on a “clean” temporary continuing resolution (CR) next week that would keep the government running until Dec. 11. It would simply continue funding at current-year levels, with no controversial amendments.

But the short-term CR is only the tip of the political iceberg looming ahead.

To start with, no one knows if the post-Boehner House leadership will take an even harder line on budget issues.

In the Senate, Republicans still have differences over the way forward. Some think there could be another short- or long-term CR after Dec. 11. But Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, says he won’t vote for any more continuing resolutions because that would hurt national defense.

Behind the scenes, there is talk of a “grand bargain” to raise budget caps and end sequestration, which has been a major sore spot for the entire government, especially defense, since 2011. Sequestration prevents responsible planning and budgeting. But any grand bargain also will be highly controversial, and the roiling of House leadership only adds to the uncertainty.

If that weren’t enough, Congress must act on several more contentious bills before Christmas, including:

• The annual defense bill
• A massive highway bill to make emergency infrastructure improvements
• A bill to extend important expiring tax breaks
• Legislation to raise the federal debt ceiling and avoid national default

The key question:  Can Congress overcome politics long enough to avoid a fiscal train wreck in December?

– See more at: http://www.moaa.org/Content/Take-Action/Top-Issues/Currently-Serving/What-Are-the-Odds-of-a-Fiscal-Train-Wreck-.aspx#sthash.Wt1Y8W9R.dpuf

(Click on THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS here or above to see the CR trend over the past 16 years. GF)

 

Issue 3. LEGISLATIVE CHAMPION RETIRES

September 25, 2015

 

Our very best wishes go with Col Mike Hayden, USAF (Ret), MOAA’s Director of Government Relations, who recently departed MOAA to take a new position with the United States Air Force. Mike was selected as Director in 2013 upon the retirement of Col Steve Strobridge, USAF (Ret), after serving 8 years as Steve’s deputy.

 

Although Mike wished to avoid a fuss over his departure, we can’t let this event pass without recounting the many important accomplishments achieved under his leadership.

 

On his watch, MOAA worked and won repeal of unfair COLA reductions imposed on retirees and survivors; blocked a proposed $1 billion cut to the federal subsidy for the Defense Commissary Agency; and blunted a large proposed reduction of Basic Allowance for Housing for servicemembers.

 

On the health care front, he led successful charges to block consolidation of TRICARE health plans into a single plan with less choice, won permanent legislative relief from annual threats of 25 percent cuts in Medicare and TRICARE payments, and blocked proposals to means-test TRICARE Prime and TRICARE for Life fees.

 

In his earlier role as deputy director, he authored and led a successful legislative effort to correct legislation that significantly undercompensated thousands of disabled recipients of Combat Related Special Compensation.

 

For MOAA and as Co-Chair of the 31-association Military Coalition, Mike testified before the Veterans Disability Benefits Commission, the House and Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittees, the House Government and Oversight Committee, and the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission.

 

His extraordinary leadership, insights, and compelling analysis helped improve the quality of life for millions of current and future members of the military community.

 

We wish Mike continued great success in the next chapter of his career, and appreciate Steve Strobridge’s willingness to be recalled to this key MOAA leadership position.

 

Issue 4. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO FIX THE VA?

September 25, 2015

For the first time in a generation, a congressionally mandated commission will meet to address the future of VA health care.

After news broke of the VA Phoenix medical center scandal last spring, MOAA wrote a letter to the president and leaders of the House and Senate veterans’ affairs committees to say bureaucratic red tape and gross inefficiencies preventing veterans from accessing care required immediate attention.

MOAA called for an independent, bipartisan commission made up of leading public and private experts on health care to examine the 21^stcentury of VA health care.

Lawmakers heard our message and passed the Veterans Choice Act, which established the VA Commission on Care.

Former MOAA Board of Directors member RADM Joyce Johnson, USPHS (Ret) was one of the presidential appointees to the commission.

Lawmakers also called for an independent study to look at the delivery systems and management processes of the VA Health Administration (VHA), in order to provide a holistic view of the system and its relationship within the VA.

According to the group’s findings, and statements by top leaders in VA, simply buying more care through civilian health provider networks won’t fix the VHA.

Three main themes emerged from the Commission’s first meeting:

1. It will take time

“The kind of transformational change necessary will be a herculean task that requires sustained commitment,” said Cdr. Rene Campos, USN (Ret), MOAA Deputy Director of Government Relations. “Cultural change is needed at all levels in the VA. This will take years to achieve.”

1. It will take vision

An integrated system-wide approach that recognizes VHA’s role within both the VA and the broader American health care system is needed. This will require top talent to manage both the current and future needs of veterans.

1. It will take change

The report found that “Leaders are not fully empowered due to a lack of clear authority, priorities, and roles; they work in a culture of growing risk aversion and distrust.” This leads to a disconnect in both operations and execution. By empowering leaders and providing a shared sense of urgency, VHA can create a patient-centric culture and a transparent, data-driven management system.

The last major review of VA health care delivery was conducted in the 1990s. It established benchmarks and metrics on the quality of care. It also shed light on other issues such as the disability claims backlog. That study’s findings helped the VA lower wait times and cut annual operating costs, while treating more patients and providing higher patient satisfaction.

MOAA looks forward to working with members of the commission, Congress, and the administration to advance the commission’s goals. It’s vital that we forge a roadmap to reform VA health care to ensure world-class access and care to our nation’s veterans and their family members.

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

 

 

 

 

We have 1 Action Item today at issue 1

 

 

Summary of Issues

At Issue 1. we see MOAA’S COLA PREDICTION. Consumer prices take another dive. Follow trends on MOAA’s COLA Watch. (See Issue 1 below for the details and to send a related Email to our Legislators. GF) 

At Issue 2. we see THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS. Congress considering CR to prevent shutdown. As Congress wavers between a CR and a shutdown, here are three things you need to know about continuing resolutions.. (See Issue 2 below for the details. GF) 

At Issue 3. we see THE MILITARY COALITION: UNITED PURPOSE, UNITED VOICE 5.5 million members strong. In his September – and final – edition of “The Bottom Line,” MOAA Director of Government Relations Col. Mike Hayden, USAF (Ret) praises the Military Coalition.. (See Issue 3 below for the details. GF)

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

 

ISSUES

 

Issue 1. MOAA’S COLA PREDICTION  and More

The August Consumer Price Index (CPI) is 233.366, dropping to .4 percent below the FY 2014 COLA baseline. The 2015 COLA will be based on the CPI average from July through September.

With one month to go, the chances of a positive FY 2016 COLA look slim. If there is no growth in CPI, annuitants will not receive an annual COLA. Retirees did not receive COLAs in 2009 and 2010.

In the event of a negative CPI, annuitants will not see a reduction in pay. Congress passed legislation that keeps retired pay flat in the event of a negative COLA.

The CPI for September 2015 is scheduled to be released on October 15, 2015.

Note: Military retiree COLA is calculated based on the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), not the overall CPI. Monthly changes in the index may differ from national figures reported elsewhere.

 

 

 

And on the related issue:

It looks like the president will use his executive authority to limit the 2016 military pay at 1.3 percent, rather than the 2.3 percent provided under current law. This will be the third consecutive year of capping military pay. Ask your legislators to preserve the 2.3 percent military pay raise.  (Click on MOAA’S COLA PREDICTION here or above and scroll down and click on the “DON’T CUT THE TROOP’S PAY RAISE “TAKE ACTION NOW” button or go to Here is the Process: at the end of this Email to send messages to your Legislators. GF)

 

 

Issue 2. THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS

September 18, 2015

With less than seven legislative working days between now and the end of the fiscal year, Congress appears unlikely to complete work on its annual spending bills in time.

Without a compromise, there could be another government shutdown. To prevent a shutdown, it’s likely Congress will pass some sort of continuing resolution (CR) to keep the lights on.

Here are three things you need to know about continuing resolutions.

1.    Even without a continuing resolution, not everything stops.

In the event of a shutdown, “nonessential” government functions will shutter, but that doesn’t mean everything will close.

Agencies protecting life, limb, and property will remain open. That means the military will continue to work – without pay – but civilian staff may have to stay home.

Programs codified in existing statute, like military retired pay and Social Security, will continue uninterrupted.

However, anything considered “discretionary,” like defense spending and processing of new VA disability and Social Security claims, will be halted.

2.    CRs aren’t that uncommon.

Unfortunately, CRs aren’t uncommon. The last time Congress passed all of its annual appropriations bills in time was almost 20 years ago with the FY 1997 budget. CRs can last for as little as a day or as long as an entire fiscal year.

3.    CRs are costly.

CRs create massive inefficiencies for the government. Every time Congress heads towards a CR, federal agencies and departments have to spend time creating guidelines for offices and develop new spending plans.

CRs usually contain provisions stipulating that money can only be spent on what was approved the previous year.

Effectively, that means the government goes into a hiring freeze. Since agencies lack the authority to hire replacements, it also means potentially delaying termination of bad employees.

For the military, it means not spending money on new bullets, planes, or infrastructure. Delaying purchasing decisions on new weapon systems drives up per unit cost. Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work recently lamented, “There is no organization on this earth that would be able to remain in business, operating under these conditions.”

On the military personnel side, CRs wreak havoc on force management. The services have to go to Congress to get special permission to provide bonus pays and incentives.

In an interview with Defense One, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh said DoD has the ability to maneuver for about three months under a CR, but any longer proves much more difficult. “It creates a lot of work, a lot of churn, and a lot of confusion for everybody involved.” “Nobody is a fan of CRs,” said Welsh. “Nobody.”

 

(Click on THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS here or above to see the CR trend over the past 16 years. GF)

 

Issue 3. THE MILITARY COALITION: UNITED PURPOSE, UNITED VOICE

By: Col. Mike Hayden, USAF (Ret)Director, Government Relations 

 

About the Author

Hayden served a 25-year military career in air and space operations, personnel, recruiting, training, and education. He compiled more than 2,800 flying hours as a B-52 instructor radar navigator and commanded an Air Force recruiting squadron in Detroit. He spent his last five years on active duty at the Pentagon as chief of the Military Personnel Policy Division, HQ USAF, and as chief, Personnel Services Division, for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As the Military Personnel Policy Division chief, he and his team developed and implemented a one-year drawdown of more than 24,000 airmen. In the latter position, he worked with MOAA in winning Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) coverage for survivors of servicemembers killed on active duty.

Hayden holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Northern Illinois University and a master’s degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida.

He joined MOAA’s Government Relations team in July 2005, focusing on active duty and retiree compensation issues.

 

We get more done on Capitol Hill when the military community comes together with one powerful voice. Formed in 1985, The Military Coalition (TMC) works hard to project a clear, united message to Congress.

A powerful consortium of over 30 military, veterans and uniformed services organizations, TMC celebrates its 30th anniversary this winter. The Coalition serves one united purpose: to maintain a strong national defense, provided by recruiting and retaining highly skilled and capable personnel.

While each association has its own programs and goals, the Coalition forges a common agenda each year and testifies before Congress on critical national defense issues.

The Coalition’s strength lies with its membership: 5.5 million collective members. Those numbers provide two things on Capitol Hill: access and, most importantly, influence. When the membership is an active participant in the legislative process, members of Congress act.

At times, not all the associations agree on a position, but that is one of the key strengths of the Coalition. Being able to come together and discuss the pros and cons of military compensation and benefits proposals delivers a greater understanding of the implications at hand.

The Coalition is instrumental in educating Congress on the need to improve pay, benefits, and the quality of life programs of the uniformed service community and their families.

The work of the Coalition speaks for itself: over the course of the century’s first decade it persuaded Congress to close a 13.5 percent pay gap between military and private sector pay, eliminate out-of-pocket housing expenses, and increase force levels to meet mission requirements.

Thanks to the Coalitions efforts, the entire uniformed service community realized enhancements to survivor and disability benefits, reserve health care coverage, transition protections for wounded warriors, and the creation of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, just to name just a few.

I’ve had the privilege to be a member of the Coalition for over ten years, and had the honor to serve as co-chair for the past two. For my last submission to “The Bottom Line”, I wanted to pay tribute to the Coalition.

As of today, I turn things over to Col. Steve Strobridge, USAF (Ret). As someone who has previously been a TMC co-chair, he also understands the importance of the Coalition in getting things done on Capitol Hill.

At a time when politicians continue to try to balance the budget on the backs of the military, the work of the Coalition is more important now than ever before.

The Bottom Line: The Military Coalition remains a powerful force and is essential in protecting military benefits

 

Here is the Process:  There are some minor changes below this week and if the steps below are new to some, I recommend that you review all of the steps and then you might want to copy this process by high lighting all of the steps below.  Then click on “File” at the top of your screen, select “Print“, then click on “Selection” at the next display and then hit “Print“; or print the selected portion as you usually do this kind of task.

 

1. Click here onhttp://capwiz.com/moaa/issues/ or copy and paste it in your browser to put you at the  “Legislative Action Center” screen.
2. Scroll downunder “Current Action Alerts” and click on “Don’t Cut the Troops’ Pay Raise”.
3. At the next screen scroll down to the TAKE ACTION NOW! lineand enter or confirm your Zip code and /or hit “Go!”
4. At the next screen under“COMPOSE MESSAGE” leave the recipients area checked at your discretion.
5. Scroll down to the  “Editable text” areaand edit/modify the text of the message if desired,
6. Insert “Your Closing” (I show ‘Respectfully), and “Your Name” and fill in the rest of the mandatory {asterisked} SENDER INFORMATION. The “Phone”number is now required by some Legislators (it’s required if your Senator is from Arizona) .
7. Fill in the “Guest Type“, “Service“, “Rank“, “Component“, and “Status” if you want that information to show in your message (recommended).  You may be prompted to include a phone numberif you try to send the message without entering your phone number. Don’t be concerned about entering a phone number. I haven’t  received return calls except on rare occasions to thank me for my interest in a particular piece of Legislation, at which time you can comment (pro or con) to the staff member on how the Senator stands on the issue.
8. Check “Remember Me” (recommended) if you don’t want to have to re-enter all of your Sender Information the next time you send a message. You can always change your information or uncheck ‘Remember Me’ anytime in the future.
9. Hit “Send Message”
10. If Printed Letter was selected at Step 4 above, at the screen after hitting “Send Message” leave “Plain Paper Style” and “Word Processor (RTF)” checked unless you have another preference. Then left click on “Print Letter(s)” at the end of the “PRINT LETTER” screen. At the File Download” alert that appears next, click on “Open”. You can then edit and print or save the letter for editing, printing, signing and mailing.
11. For Arizona residents, because of some current problems with contacting Sen Flake by Email,you will see after hitting “Send Message” at Step 9 above, that “Printed Letter” is the most readily observable option for getting your message to him. Step 10 above tells you how to do that..

 

 

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

We have No Action Items today.

 

 

Summary of Issues

At Issue 1. we see MOAA REMEMBERS 9/11 (See Issue 1 below. GF) 

At Issue 2. we see WHAT YOU MISSED AT THE WARRIOR-FAMILY SYMPOSIUM. 9th annual Warrior-Family Symposium draws big crow. (See Issue 2 below for some details. GF) 

At Issue 3. we see MILITARY ETHICS CALLED INTO QUESTION. Series of embarrassing incidents prompts Congress to review ethical behavior. A failure to establish goals and metrics hinders oversight of military ethics and professional development programs. (See Issue 3 below for the details. GF)

At Issue 4. we see MILITARY COALITION HONORS LEGISLATIVE CHAMPIONS. Influential group honors lawmakers

The Military Coalition presented its highest leadership awards to three powerful members of Congress.. (See Issue 4 below for the details. GF)

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

 

ISSUES

 

Issue 1. MOAA REMEMBERS 9/11

 

 

Issue 2. WHAT YOU MISSED AT THE WARRIOR-FAMILY SYMPOSIUM

9th annual Warrior-Family Symposium draws big crowd

MOAA connects attendees to influential lawmakers and cabinet officials.

(Click on WHAT YOU MISSED AT THE WARRIOR-FAMILY SYMPOSIUM here or above to see the details. GF)

 

Issue 3. MILITARY ETHICS CALLED INTO QUESTION

September 11, 2015

Bribery, gambling, misuse of government funds, sexual misconduct: not the things you think about when it comes to military officers.

After a series of embarrassing scandals over the past few years, Congress tasked DoD with reviewing how it addresses professional development and ethical behavior. Unfortunately, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), DoD has failed to implement several necessary changes.

The biggest impediment to change is that the department did not develop metrics to measure the effectiveness of the program. Without adequate metrics, GAO says DoD has no idea if its efforts are working, much less warranted.

According to the report, “Without identifying information sources and developing intermediate goals and performance metrics that are clear, quantifiable, and objective … decision makers in DoD and Congress will not have full visibility into the department’s progress on professionalism-related issues.”

Other issues identified in the report include a failure of the Navy and Marine Corps to conduct 360 evaluations on all general and flag officers and for the Army and Air Force to require command climate assessments in performance reviews.

The questions remain: Are today’s military officers less ethical? Has the longest period of sustained conflict eroded military leaders’ ability to distinguish right from wrong?

“Without reliable data,” said Col. Mike Hayden, USAF (Ret), MOAA’s Director of Government Relations, “there may literally be no way to tell.”

Issue 4. MILITARY COALITION HONORS LEGISLATIVE CHAMPIONS

 

September 11, 2015

The Military Coalition (TMC) – an influential consortium of military and veterans groups co-chaired by MOAA – presented its highest leadership awards on September 10 to Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nev.) for their leadership in protecting the vital interests of servicemembers, retirees, veterans, their families and survivors.

Senator Inhofe and Senator Mikulski were instrumental in leading the fight against privatization of the commissary benefit. The senators introduced a bipartisan amendment to the Senate’s 2016 defense bill that would prevent the Pentagon from privatizing commissaries at five major installations next year. In addition, as Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Mikulski fought to protect the commissary against dramatic cuts and restored $322 million in funding for the program.

As Chairman of the Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee, Rep. Heck was the first line of defense to fend off cuts to military benefits and compensation. Through his leadership, the House passed a defense bill that stops a third straight year of capping military pay raises, a second year of reducing commissary funding, a second year of slowing housing allowances, and a second straight year of calls to consolidate TRICARE and significantly increase health care fees for beneficiaries.

The Coalition also presented its 2015 Freedom Award to Mr. Anthony Lazarski, a senior advisor for Sen. Inhofe. With little help, he tirelessly rallied support from other congressional offices to pass the Inhofe-Mikulski commissary amendment to the Senate’s version of the defense bill.

Col. Herb Rosenbleeth, USA (Ret), TMC President and National Executive Director of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA, said, “this year’s honorees share a common passion and commitment to doing the right thing for our service men and women, retirees, veterans, their families and survivors.”

Col. Mike Hayden, USAF (Ret), TMC Co-Chair and MOAA’s Director of Government Relations said, “These legislators and staffers worked closely with all the members of the Coalition to help preserve military benefits and compensation in order to recruit, retain, and sustain the all-volunteer force.”

TMC represents the interests of more than 5.5 million members around the world, including active duty, National Guard, Reserve, and retired members and veterans of the seven uniformed services, plus their families and survivors.-

 

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