This testimony will surely help to shape our legislative and funding priorities as we strive to improve the military personnel, health care, and morale, welfare and recreation (MWR) systems of the Department of Defense.

We think the Pentagon needs to focus more on fixing TRICARE and less on trying to charge more for it.

Individual information... is so helpful for us to know the real-world impact of the legislation.

It is certainly a big day to have the Gold Star Wives recognized.

Madam Chair, based on my review of the testimony submitted to us, the recommendations made by the various groups fall into two broad categories: one, those that are strictly policy issues that require little or no additional funding; and two, those legislative changes that would require additional discretionary or mandatory spending.

We hope that you will be able to fix a glitch in the combat-related special compensation law that causes some to lose the pay that Congress meant for them.

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman Davis, for holding this hearing today.

I am grateful to be working with the Gold Star Wives in support of enactment of H.R. 775, which would eliminate the SBP/DIC offset.

I personally oppose raising the TRICARE fees for non-Medicare-eligible retirees.

I urge you to look up the bill, for all of you.

I appreciate you bringing up the issue of the home of record and the difficulties that can be in providing services.