MOAA LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

MOAA Benefits Information Update - June 02, 2003:

1. Directives Allow "Agent" To Shop For Commissary Patrons

Recent activities have brought to the forefront the issue of having someone shop for eligible commissary patrons. It doesn't just apply to children with a deployed parent, but to other authorized patrons who may have difficulty shopping on their own.

Known as the agent privilege, it's for any authorized commissary shopper who needs assistance shopping or who cannot shop on his or her own behalf because of disability, illness or infirmity. That privilege also extends to grandparents, guardians or caregivers of children of service members who may not be available due to deployment or remote assignment.

Authorized shoppers, who are elderly or disabled, and unfamiliar with the 'agent' privilege, should contact the identification card section on the installation to determine what proof is needed to have an agent shop in the commissary on their behalf.

3. Updates from the Tricare Management Activity

TRICARE Provider Directory - The TRICARE Provider Directory Web site has been revamped to include basic descriptions that outline three TRICARE options (TRICARE Prime, Standard and Extra) and a link to a military treatment facility locator: http://www.tricare.osd.mil/ providerdirectory/
These are links to updated Frequently Asked Questions posted on both TRICARE and Express Scripts Inc. web sites for the new Tricare Mail Order Pharmacy (TMOP) benefit: http://www.tricare.osd.mil/pharmacy/tmop.cfm

http://www.express-scripts.com/custom/dod/tmopfaq/

4. SBA Support for Reserve and Guard Members

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering special assistance to activated members of the Reserve and National Guard, and to small businesses affected by their activation.

SBA has created a special Web page specifically for Reserve and Guard members at http://www.sba.gov/reservists/ or you can contact your nearest SBA District Office, and speak to the Veterans Business Development Officer. For further assistance, contact the Office of Veterans Business Development at (202) 205-6773 or visit their web site at http://www.sba.gov/vets/

MOAA's Legislative Update for Friday, June 6, 2003:

Issue 1: Health Care Lawsuit Refused. The Class Act Group's suit against the federal government ended in frustration on Monday, when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the group's appeal of the Circuit Court's dismissal.

Issue 2: Senate Approves Concurrent Receipt Amendment

On Wednesday, the Senate adopted Sen. Harry Reid's (D-NV) concurrent receipt amendment to the FY2004 Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1588) by voice vote. Now the bill goes to a conference committee to resolve the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. This is expected to take until September or later.

That said, the Senate's approval of the Reid amendment gets the issue back on the conferees' table, whether leadership wants it there or not. Clearly, last year's action left out lots of deserving disabled retirees. The omission of Guard and Reserve retirees -- even those with severe combat wounds -- has to be on Congress' minds when tens of thousands of Guard and Reserve members were just sent to war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Even more thousands of retirees whose disabilities were caused by performance of military duties other than in combat are also not covered.

Issue 3. DoD - VA Health Task Force Reports to President

The recently released final report of the President's Task Force (PTF) to Improve Health Care Delivery for Our Nation's Veterans offers a number of recommendations on how the DoD and VA health care systems can work together more effectively. Major PTF recommendations include:

Fully funding health care for all veterans enrolled in Priority Groups 1 - 7 "in accordance with VA's established access standards" (primary care appointments scheduled within 30 days).

Requiring VA facilities that can't meet the access standards to refer the veteran patient to a non-VA provider, unless the veteran prefers to wait for a VA appointment.

Allowing military retired veterans (dual-eligible) to have their military or VA prescriptions filled in the other department's pharmacies.

Implementing "one-stop shopping" to speed seamless transition from active duty to veteran status, with a single separation physical, an interoperable electronic medical record, and collaboration on data-capture on occupational exposures and hazards from military service.

Using a joint strategic planning and budgeting process and improving leader accountability to achieve agreed upon joint objectives for sharing resources.

Working collaboratively to ensure DoD and VA health facility construction projects in each department are evaluated as potential joint ventures.

Issue 4: D-Day Remembered

Fifty-nine years ago today (6 June), a combined force of 130,000 American, British, and Canadian soldiers stormed five beaches on the Normandy coast in northern France. Overcoming fierce resistance, they established a foothold on the European continent and began the march to Berlin that would bring World War II to an end.

Nearly six decades after the fact, the courage and heroism of those who saved the world from fascism still offer the ultimate illustration of what we strive to be.

We salute the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who distinguished themselves so valiantly that day. Their spirit and sacrifice will continue to inspire generations to come.

MOAA's Member Services Update for June 2003:

MOAA TRAVEL TIPS:

A current listing of these reduced military rates can be found on the MOAA Vacations Web site, http://www.moaavacations.com. Call MOAA Vacations at (800) 211-5107 to learn more.