Political Quotes

“I will give a little background, if I could, about this subject matter and area of inquiry. The Department of Defense initiated early on this year, and part of last year, a fairly dramatic increase in TRICARE premiums for military retirees and family members. The TRICARE program is, I think our membership knows, a military health care system for Active-Duty people and also for those who are retired, up to age 65. This is a provision for those 65 who can continue during Medicare eligibility. The health care part of the military budget is just growing leaps and bounds. Our chairman is sort of the champion of the TRICARE program, and it has been a wonderful program for military members and their families and retirees. But in 2015, it is going to be 12 percent, if nothing changes in the entire military budget. It is on an unsustainable course. We have not had a premium increase since TRICARE's inception. I will take a back seat to no one in wanting to help the troops, but the best thing we can do is create a benefit that is sustainable and not have to pick between health care benefits and armament and new weapons and all of the operational needs of the military, which are going to be eventually squeezed. In committee, Senator Nelson and myself, along with the chairman and ranking member, said to the Department of Defense: Stop, don't pass go, no fee increases.…”