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

TRICARE Contract Shift Unrelated To Obama 'Reforms'

Is this switch in TRICARE contractors, and the potential rollback in Prime Service Areas that are 40 miles or more from military bases, more fallout from Obama heath care reforms?

If I'm reading this right, it will affect more than 175,000 people currently enrolled in TRICARE Prime. That's more proof that anything promised by the government can't be trusted!

I'm so sorry for my children and grandchildren. History says most civilizations don't last more than 300 years. The way we are going history is repeating itself once again.

PENNY BEAN
Via e-mail

The new TRICARE contracts, to take effect next April, were initially put out for bid in 2007. I reported at the time that they were written with language that would end the award of special credit to contractors for operating Prime Service Areas more than 40 miles from a military base or from a base closure site. So award of the new contracts this July is unrelated to President Obama's push to reform the nation's health care system. – Tom Philpott

Read the full article from 2007:
TRICARE Eyes Fewer 'Prime' Networks

FRUSTRATED WIDOWS

As a military widow and constituent of Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), I thank you so much for telling it like it is regarding the offset of Survivor Benefit Plan payments by VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, the SBP/DIC offset.

Every year I get my hopes up only to have them dashed by the lack of funding for the senator's amendment and the dropping of that amendment by the conference committee with the House. You have been one of the few to really keep us informed and keep our issues in the media.

It is sad that the Pay-As-You-Go budget rule was not considered during all the bailouts in the financial and auto industry. But when it comes to veterans and survivors benefits, suddenly Congress is concerned about the deficit. My deceased, 100-percent-disabled, Vietnam-veteran spouse, is one of the "costs" of war. May God bless my American hero.

CAROLE SERVICE
Military Widow, Gold Star Wife
Winter Park, Fla.

I am a widow whose SBP is offset by DIC. Why can't elimination of this offset be funded with the F-22 cancellation money or, even better, as a cost of war? We are widows, in most cases, of men who were killed in action or died of their service-connected disabilities.

If we do not get it this year it will not happen in most of our lifetimes. I am 67 and, like many of the older widows, this was our retirement. I am in poor health from caring for my husband through his bone cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, diabetes and loss of legs -- all due from Agent Orange in Vietnam. He suffered horribly.

Many widows gave up careers and their own health needs, like I did, to take care of these men. Most of us suffered from 'caregiver syndrome' from caring 24/7 for these men. We got sick ourselves. I had two strokes.

If this were a civilian insurance policy the company would have to pay full SBP. Why does the government not have to pay? We purchased this annuity out of our own money. It was never a gratuity.

LEONA GARCIA
Via e-mail

Lawmakers seem to have a difficult time finding the money to fund what they all think is an unfair burden on the 54,000 widows of servicemen. However, there seems to be no problem "discovering" the money for TARP, a stimulus for the economy and possibly national health care reform! As always, the most important programs will be funded.

J. BLANTON
Command Sergeant Major, Retired
Via e-mail

PREMIUMS REFUNDED

I notice you failed to mention that when DIC offsets SBP, in any amount, there is a refund of premiums that were paid into the SBP by the retiree. The refund is in direct proportion to what percentage DIC is of the SBP annuity.

These refunds of premiums can range from 30-40 percent up to 100% of the premiums paid in. I have had widows receive in excess of $30,000 in refunds of premiums and still receive quite large SBP payments in addition to the DIC. But, as usual, it's better to just print half the story and get everyone up in arms about more "loss of benefits."

Thanks a lot.

DANIEL M. McCULLOUGH
Casualty Assistance Representative and
Survivor Benefit Plan Counselor
10th FSS/FSFR
USAF Academy, CO

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.