Mike Levin: “The most far-reaching step that we have taken in this conference report is to answer the call of Secretary Cohen and the…”

“The most far-reaching step that we have taken in this conference report is to answer the call of Secretary Cohen and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to address shortcomings in the health care program. We provide health care for our military personnel and our retirees and their families. But there are shortcomings. There are gaps. There are holes. There are lapses. We are trying to fill those. We are trying to make the commitment of health care to our military men and women and to their families, and after they retire, a real-world commitment. We want to fulfill the promise of lifetime health care to those who complete a military career by providing, as we do in this bill, that retired members and their families remain in the TRICARE health program for life. When they become eligible for Medicare, TRICARE would serve as a Medigap-type policy and pay virtually all costs for medical care that are not covered by Medicare itself. This means that retirees will be able to choose any medical provider that accepts Medicare, and TRICARE would pay the deductibles and the copayments.”