Readers of Tom Philpott’s Military Update column sound off.

Only Some Understand the Sacrifices of a Few

The Military Coalition is doing a superb job of protecting our interests, both active duty and retirees. Like many others I understand that retired military members and veterans have a few bennies some people covet. But career civilians don't understand the sacrifices that warriors, past and present, voluntarily make to keep America free and unmolested.

Most people nowadays go through a career without their life, their family’s livelihood or their quality of life jeopardized by service to nation. Yet it is only now becoming more widely known that military service is more than physically demanding. It is often psychologically damaging.

There’s the risk of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Syndrome. But just the rigors and requirements of successful service often demands a nearly complete acceptance of the "attitude of service." Unmitigated acceptance of the mission, often to the detriment of physical and psychological well-being, is not well understood by those who have not experienced it.

The recent death [March 7] of Billy Walkabout, the most decorated soldier of the Vietnam War has gone relatively unnoticed except by those who knew him personally or who keep up with such things. Billy single-handedly saved the lives of many comrades while being wounded multiple times. As a result of his actions, individuals are still alive though Billy died at the ripe old age of 57 from the rigors of his military service.

There are many such individuals. We all know veterans who served only a short time and we all know career people who dedicated their entire productive lives to their country and the preservation of its beliefs.

JOE LIGON
Bryan, Texas

May God bless and strengthen these people who are fighting against this unjust TRICARE rate hike.

For some time retiree benefits have been taken away, one by one, under the pretence that it’s too expensive, it’s unaffordable. First we lost the no cost dental and the cost for retiree dental coverage is now too high for the average retiree to afford. Then we lost no-cost medical care and “minimal” cost health insurance was instituted.

If these fees go into effect I will not be able to afford TRICARE anymore. Not every retiree under age 60 is living large and double dipping with some cushy job. Some of us are disabled at less than 80 percent but more than 30 and it limits our job capabilities.

In my worst days while on active duty, days when I wanted to resign my warrant officer appointment, my fellow soldiers would comment that sticking it out was worth it for the benefits in retirement. I was told, “Yeah, this is really bad now but think about the benefits for your wife and kids. Keep the faith, brother, because these tough times are the hardship part, the payment to country, for benefits when you retire.”

So I stuck it out -- through cold, heat, sand, snow, mud, wind, bullets and close calls. I saw some friends killed and for some reason I was spared.

If this Task Force on the Future of Military Healthcare represents “the country,” then they need to be reminded of the price many of us already have paid. Government officials cannot speak from both sides of their mouths, praising currently serving members as heroes as they vote to nickel and dime health care and recuperation benefits once the hero comes home and needs help. This includes those eligible for retirement.

I can absolutely guarantee that not a single member of that panel will ever have to wonder where the money will come from to make their next insurance premium, with all due respect to the colonels and generals who claim to have all the answers.

FERNANDO ZAYAS
Chief Warrant 3,  USA-Ret.
Enterprise, Alabama

MAIL ORDER DRUGS

My wife and I have been using the TRICARE Mail Order Program (TMOP) for years and have been very happy with how they treat us.

You can get any drug on the formulary and if the drug does not agree with you then have your doctor make a notation that you must have a non-formulary drug that does not produce side effects. In my case it was Lipitor.

Those who claim TMOP is not the right way to go have not been reading all the information on the internet or the printed information TRICARE puts out for all to read.

The 90-day supply you get from the contractor, Express-Scripts, is great. From the time our doctor faxes in our prescriptions until they are deliver in our mail box is approximately 5 days.

WAYNE G. JOHNSON
Master Chief Radioman (Submarines), USN-Ret.
Plover, Wis.

It is painfully obvious that the people beating the drum for universal use of the mail order system don’t need it – yet.

If TRICARE requires universal use, the mail order system probably would break down because of overload. There is no way it can suddenly absorb all users of maintenance drugs. It would not have enough employees, to start with. And it would never authorize enough because management would look at the cost to staff it in horror.

They can give good service now because the number of users is small. They won’t be able to maintain that service if every member is forced into the system.

Someone not impacted knows exactly what is best for all the rest of us.

DON REINHARD
Colonel, USA-Ret.
Via e-mail

Defense and TRICARE officials want everyone to use TMOP, especially for maintenance medications and I do not have a problem with this. I only ask that these officials help me do this.

I have what they call third-party health insurance so the TMOP contractor, Express-Scripts, will not allow me to use the mail order prescription service.

I have written numerous congressmen and TRICARE officials but they do not seem to care and only want to raise fees as a cost-savings solution.

A.W. GARLAND, Sr.
Warner Robins, Ga.

Beneficiaries with alternative health insurance are banned from using TMOP because they already are saving tax dollars. TRICARE officials want you to use the retail drug network because, by law, your other health insurance is primary payer. That’s even cheaper for the government than filling prescriptions by mail.  -- Tom Philpott

Letters may be edited for clarity or length.  Write to Military Forum, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA  20120-1111, send e-mail to militaryforum@aol.com or visit www.militaryupdate.com