Tony Thurmond: “I wish to commend the able Senator from Texas for offering this amendment. I think he is doing a great service to the…”

“I wish to commend the able Senator from Texas for offering this amendment. I think he is doing a great service to the people, in the military establishment especially. Mr. President, I rise in support of this amendment. Legislation which would enable Medicare eligible military retirees to enroll in the military health care system is the issue about which I receive the most mail from South Carolina. Military retirees and their families become very comfortable with the military health care system during their many years of service. In many cases, these veterans first experience with health care as adults came at the hands of an Army, Navy, or Air Force physician. Their children were born in military hospitals, untold numbers of colds, bouts of flu, broken bones, and other medical maladies have been treated within the military health care system. Once these retired personnel reach age 65 and become eligible for Medicare, their status in the military system changes dramatically. Suddenly, through no fault of their own, they are no longer welcome except on a space-available basis. When these veterans of 20 or more years of dedicated, selfless service to the Nation discover that they are not welcome in the military health care system, it is a terrible shock. When servicemembers are recruited, they are told that one of the benefits of their service is health care for life.…”