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

Mr. President, Don't Raise Our Health Care Fees

I am a 71-year-old who served his country for 30 years. I and my spouse have been TRICARE for Life enrollees since we both turned 65. Fortunately, we have not incurred any medical expenses.

But I see one of the cost-cutting options in the Congressional Budget Office's report on federal health programs is for TFL members to be required to pay the first $525 of yearly expenses and one-half of the next $4,725.00.

My wife has extensive medical problems and I am concerned what this proposal will do to our standard of living.

Am I reading this correctly?

TOM COOPER
Sergeant Major, Retired
Rochester, Wash.

You are reading that correctly. But as the article explains, these are among more than 115 options presented, not even endorsed, by the CBO. They are actions the new administration or Congress could take to make the federal health care "more efficient," says CBO. The report also discusses the consequences of every option, particularly on lower income users. –Tom Philpott

It is the same story over and over. Uncle Sam needs people; he makes vast promises to unsuspecting youth. They serve their country during the best years of their lives. The day arrives for Uncle Sam to honor his promises and he has no money.

When I was 20, I never thought I would need the free, lifetime healthcare as promised in exchange for 20 years of military service. Uncle Sam didn't think I would live to see 75 either.

Men and women survive severe injuries on the battlefield today that would have killed them a generation ago. Our government is responsible for them as long as they live. As the number of veterans grows Uncle Sam needs to cheat another generation out of its promised reward

The real truth is that those who served in Congress 60 years ago are no longer alive. Few current lawmakers ever wore the nation's uniform, including our President-elect. It is a shame.

JAMES F. HUSSER
Via e-mail

Regarding veterans and military retirees possibly facing higher health care costs, the options presented are frightening for those who have dedicated all, or even a portion, of their lives to our nation's defense.

I will be watching how this issue plays out once Congress begins to work on it. How will it make its own health care plan "more efficient?"

After all, changes needed for some should be needed for all.

STAN BECKNER
Colorado Springs, Colo.

Regarding the CBO option to bill active duty dependents 10 percent of the cost of their healthcare, I note that to do this every military treatment facility would have to hire staff to create, mail and collect on bills for care.

I have run an MTF billing function for eight years. We would need at least five additional bodies to handle the workflow of over 1,000 visits per workday at a mid-size hospital. The new hires would have to GS-5 level or higher to handle the complexity of the billing and collection process

Crunch those numbers! I doubt there would be any cost savings.

A better plan would be to charge a per-visit amount. But there still would be a serious uproar from the military community.

THERESA MITCHELL
Eglin AFB Hospital, Fla.

Political parties push and shove to stake out their reputation for "Supporting the Troops." It's all good for the average American as long as slapping a Communist Chinese Yellow Ribbon magnet on the car means the dues are paid up.

Military retiree health care already has enrollment fees, co-payments for appointments and prescription fees. The benefits are earned, part of the deferred compensation/incentive package offered to qualified individuals who were willing to serve or continue to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

They were offered partly because of a supply and demand problem that has existed for decades: most Americans have no interest the wear and tear hat comes from serving in the armed forces. Fewer still are interested in investing 20 years in a military career.

The military package never was meant to be comparable with civilian benefits. The job demands are not comparable, though freely accepted with the understanding that some will be sent far away and never come back.

It all counts towards earning a definite benefit package the hard way.

ALEX HEPLER
Port Hadlock, Wash.

The VA already has been denying care for those "with no service-related medical needs." They told me several years ago I'm not eligible because my problems aren't related to my military service, even though it's all over my medical records from active duty and as a dependent.

I wonder what they expect me to do. I'm separated from my retiree spouse. TRICARE told me I had to have been married to him for 20 years while he was active duty. (We've been married 25 years, 14 of those years were active duty.) The VA told me I'm not eligible for care.

I have numerous service-related medical problems that make it difficult, if not impossible, to hold even a part time job, and those don't offer medical benefits. I've been waiting over seven years for my VA disability compensation. It's been over a year since an appeals judge remanded my case back to the local level, with findings that the local level was wrong in denying some of my claims.

It's my guess they want to make me a homeless veteran with no health care. And I can't sue them for their inaction. That's priceless.

REBECCA B.
Via e-mail

I hope military beneficiaries unite with others in trying to advance the idea of universal health care for all Americans.

As your column indicated, medical benefits for older veterans may be changed to their detriment. Major groups of Americans already covered by some form of "socialized" health care should be strong allies in the effort to assure care for all Americans.

I live near Travis Air Force Base and have friends who are retired military. One recently underwent treatment for breast cancer and received excellent care. I hope this standard can be maintained and extended to those who do not have access to Travis Air Force Base.

MARY ELLEN CORREIA
Vacaville, Calif.

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