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LEGISLATIVE NEWS
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MOAA and 32 other associations jointly urged Congress
to retain key pay, health, and benefi t provisions in the fi nal
version of the FY 2008 defense bill.
A
s House and Senate signifi cant problems in facing future
What Will be Your
Armed Services committee military needs.
2008 COLA?
leaders began negotiations Concurrent receipt. Authorize combat- ■ Most retirees and survi-
in October to resolve the related special compensation for all retirees
vors will see a 2.3 percent
thousands of differences whose service-caused conditions forced
COLA in January checks.
Those who entered ser-
between the separate House and Senate them into medical retirement before at-
vice on or after Sept. 8,
versions of the FY 2008 Defense Autho- taining 20 years of service — recognizing
1980, and retired between
rization Bill, MOAA and The Military their careers were involuntarily cut short by July and December 2007
Coalition weighed in with a joint letter combat wounds. Implement full, immediate
will receive less. July to
outlining coalition priorities for action. concurrent receipt for otherwise qualifying
September retirees will
The letter, signed by 33 military and retirees deemed “unemployable.” The Veter-
receive 0.2 percent; Sep-
tember through Decem-
veterans’ associations, highlighted nine ans Disability Benefi ts Commission (VDBC)
ber retirees will see no
high-priority topics: endorsed both initiatives as priority needs.
COLA. All will receive full
Wounded warriors. Upgrade the mili- Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). End de- COLAs in future years.
tary disability retirement system to more duction of VA survivor benefi ts from SBP
fairly compensate service-disabled annuities when the servicemember’s
personnel and their families. Require death is service-connected, as endorsed
cognitive testing for traumatic brain in- by the VDBC. Require immediate imple-
jury and PTSD. Authorize three years of mentation of 30-year paid-up SBP cov-
active-duty level family health coverage erage. “Greatest generation” military
for servicemembers forced into medi- retirees already have paid 28 percent
cal retirement or separation by service- more SBP premiums than post-1978 retir-
caused conditions. Establish a joint offi ce ees ever will pay. They have earned and
to implement a joint DoD/VA electronic deserve immediate paid-up SBP status.
health record. Upgrade support for fam- TRICARE fees. Support congressional
ily members who must become caregivers action to bar any increase in TRICARE
to wounded servicemembers. fees for 2008. The coalition urged adop-
Military force levels. Active duty and tion of the Senate-passed “sense of Con-
Guard/Reserve ground forces are too gress” provision recognizing the key role
small. The coalition supports the in- of military health benefi ts in offsetting
creases proposed for the Army and Ma- arduous conditions of service and ac-
rine Corps but is very concerned that knowledging that military people pay
reductions in active duty and reserve large “in-kind” premiums in service and
components for the Navy and Air Force sacrifi ce in addition to fees paid in cash.
are driven by budget rather than require- Military pay raise. Approve the House-
ments and have the potential to cause passed provision to increase military
DECEMBER 2007 MILITARY OFFICER 29
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29ec_scene.indd 29 111/6/07 5:29:34 PM1/6/07 5:29:34 PM
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