Where is TRICARE going?

SGM Nathan Thomas — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 12:54:35 -0500

They are making yet another change! http://www.military.com/military-report/budget-proposal-includes-retiree-tricare-fee-hikes.html?ESRC=mr0215.nl

Budget Proposal Includes Retiree Tricare Fee Hikes

The new Defense Department budget proposal for 2017 sent today to Congress drastically increases the cost of healthcare for military retirees under 65.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2016 1:56 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 13:56:34 -0500

I truly hope it's 'going' to be around as long as I'm alive. After that, it won't affect me. But I LOVE TRICARE!!!

As to your specific question, TriCare is just like about every other government entitlement or retirement plan or healthcare benefit, whether VA- or TriCare-based, that is facing intense scrutiny in these days of sequestration and 19-trillion dollar debt. That should not come as any surprise. That it is happening at all gets to the greater issue of politics, the "lobbyization" of Congress, and the very nature of the bicameral system of government we have that pits Republican self-interest and self-aggrandizement against its Democratic opposites. We, the military and American people, in general, have been, are, and will always be the victim as long as it's business as usual in that cesspool of government called Washington, D.C.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 15 at 2016 4:50 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 16:50:49 -0500

Going? It left the train station a long time ago and has been chipping away at our level of benefits for a long time. With their Self Licking Ice Cream Cone mentality, they do things like change what's covered in their formulary. Interesting thing is they do it based on cost more than medical necessity. Many Vets have a chronic pain issue and many of the ingredients for compounded medicines are no longer covered. So what cost me a small copay now costs me $100 for the full ride. Unfortunately the one size fits all mentality means more Vets with side effects and over drugging with stuff that's not as effective.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Feb 16 at 2016 7:29 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 19:29:25 -0500

Tricare is as expected going to cost the retiree more and more as time goes by. And it doesn't matter whether the Democrats or the Republicans are in power in congress. They both look at the military retiree first when they need a dollar.