Medicare Part B is a very expensive program, and we do not count that when we look at the cost of TRICARE in terms of DOD funding.

What we are talking about is an obligation to provide them medical care for the rest of their life based on a compensation package that begins the day that they enlist and is amortized over the rest of their life.

Actually, if you will see the first line there, that is the lowest tier. Also, let us remember if somebody is on that upper tier, they are also paying Medicare again for the money that they are making.

As I have said many times, our health care difficulties, as we have seen from the last 3 days in the Supreme Court, is a national problem.

So you are continuing the process that was begun when Secretary Gates initiated it?

I totally agree with that, but what I am saying to you is you cannot renegotiate the front end once the back end is done.

I believe whether there is a specific contractual obligation or not, when someone has served a full career, we have a moral obligation to provide them with lifetime medical care.

Do you see any indication of a resistance in the employer community because of the deployment cycles?

taking care of those who have served is the best way to recruit people in the future

So if you are somebody out there, having retired, looking at what it is going to cost you for health care, you are seeing... a significant jump with the proposals from DOD.

I think we have an obligation to provide them with a benefit package that is very generous and reflects their sacrifice and service.