Haley Stevens: “we have worked on this amendment. There is a vast problem out there among Guard and Reserve people. We have a total…”

“we have worked on this amendment. There is a vast problem out there among Guard and Reserve people. We have a total force now in our military. We passed the concept that the Guard and Reserves are replacements for the regular services when they are sent overseas. The Guard and Reserves are sent overseas almost as much as the regular members of our military. They have volunteered to defend us, as the Senators have said. Their families need the same protection that we offer to those who volunteer in the regular services. We have modified this amendment because we really basically want to see what happens when this change takes place. The cost of this amendment that we have put forward is approximately $400 million this year and by the following year it will be $500 million. We don't know how much it will really cost because we don't know how many will come forward and take this, as compared to what they are doing now as far as their medical is concerned. It is a contributory system for TRICARE, another experiment that we hope we will be able to get some track record on. As I have become more familiar with the National Guard, it is very strong, and the Reserves, also. We want to assure that people will continue to maintain an interest in joining the Guard and Reserves. Most people don't understand that the transition from Guard and Reserves to regular services has reversed history.”