Cliff Stearns: “I rise in support of the Thornberry-Watts-Cunningham amendment. Because the need for expanded health care for military…”

“I rise in support of the Thornberry-Watts-Cunningham amendment. Because the need for expanded health care for military retirees is so important, I am pleased to join with my colleagues, Representatives Watts, Thornberry and Moran in their efforts to permit Medicare-eligible retired members of the Armed Forces and their Medicare-eligible dependents to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program (FEHBP). This amendment proposes a three-year demonstration project at six to ten sites in the United States. The cost is offset by the sale of national defense stockpile materials. We made a commitment to those who chose to serve in defense of our country. Military retirees were promised health care for life. However, there is a Catch-22 situation for Medicare-eligible retired military because once they either turn age 65 or qualify for disability treatment, they lose their CHAMPUS benefits. Unfortunately, they are placed last on the priority for treatment at Military Treatment Facilities, and they are prevented from participating in the new TRICARE program.”