Will TRICARE Cover Adult Children?

Some of us, specifically military, military retirees, and military dependents, currently have TRICARE as our health insurance, and for the most part TRICARE works very well. The ObamaCare bills recently passed through congress FORTUNATELY excluded any changes to TRICARE. However, some people have asked if adult children through the age of 26 can be added to parent's coverage under TRICARE as the ObamaCare bill currently does. The answer to this question is no; it does not allow adult children to be added beyond the age of 21, or 23 (if in college), in it's current form. However, Congress will attempt to ‘fix’ TRICARE, incorporating a nanny state policy with legislation, HR 4923; I hope they don’t screw up anything with this legislation. This is when it gets scary, when they start trying to make changes to TRICARE; sometimes good intentions by clueless people can cause unintentional damage. I know that for some, this new policy may be important to ensure their adult children have some type of medical insurance coverage. For me personally, and other than for special needs children who have always been covered under the existing plan, teaching our children to be responsible adults has always been our family’s goal, this includes instilling the importance of health care, health care insurance, and self support when they become adults. My concern now is how much of an increase in funding will it require to include additional family members? And, does the house resolution include an increase in funding to existing appropriations that will be used to pay the health care costs of those additional persons or will it cut our services to accommodate that increase? In reading the resolution, it does not address any funding other than the additional premiums [“that the Secretary determines on an appropriate actuarial basis] they will receive for additional people and “credited to the appropriation available for the Defense Health Program.” On a positive note, and I say this with tongue in cheek, they are keeping those added premium in the Defense Health Program and not passing them on to the new entitlements in ObamaCare. The bottom line, I do not trust our congressmen/women, those folks in congress can screw up boiling water, so stand by and be vigilant. Below is the text answer to the question of adult children up to the age of 26; it can be found on the Congress.org site:

Will TRICARE cover adult children?

"Will the new health care bill force the military and Tricare to cover children until age 26 as civilian insurance will be required to do?" -- Brad Ortzman, Senior Master Sergeant USAF (Ret).

While most TRICARE beneficiaries have been relieved to hear that their health system will not be changed by the recently enacted health care reform legislation, those with dependent children between ages 23 and 26 may be disappointed. The health overhaul law requires health plans and insurance issuers to provide dependent coverage for adult children until they turn 26, though it does not require them to make coverage available to grandchildren. This provision goes into effect on Sept. 23, 2010. TRICARE, the single-payer health care system for veterans, currently allows beneficiaries' children to stay on their parents' plans through age 21, or up to age 23 if the child is a full-time student. However, TRICARE is governed by a different section of the U.S. code and would not be affected in any way by the new law. Lawmakers are now moving to amend the TRICARE laws to change the maximum age of coverage for dependents from 23 to 26. Rep. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced a bill, (HR 4923), to make this change on March 24, after the health care law had been signed.

-- Frances Symes, Congress.org

Why Health Reform Will Be a Danger to Passive Patients

This article, "Why Health Reform Will Be a Danger to Passive Patients," from U.S. News and World Report, written by Bernadine Healy, M.D., is an excellent 'MUST' read that discusses some of the much overlooked realities for individuals in ObamaCare legislation. Take the time to read the article in its entirely, you'll be more informed on what to expect. In a nutshell, as discussed in the article, this reform will be a danger to everyone, if personal responsibility is not accepted:

*eventually it will have all your medical information, from "sensitive and highly personal, such as past mental-health or marital issues or a distant history of illegal drug use or gonorrhea;"

*treatments will be based on comparative-effectiveness studies not individualized to your genetic make-up;

*a bureaucratic governmental committee will use information from a preventive task force not your specialty physician when ruling on preventive tests covered;

*heavy cuts in other programs and taxes on more affluent people will take effect to pay for about half of the funding requirements, but what is NOT known is the "impact on family budgets of mandates, premiums and copayments, other out-of-pocket costs, taxes, and fines;"

*the individual MUST take control in order to buy the best policy for themselves and manage insurance costs wisely.

Can Americans own-up to this heavy responsibility; as a friend of mine stated, "you can't legislate personal responsibility...and really, THAT is the only solution to the health care crisis."

Letter From My Union, AFSCME, On Health Care Reform

Yesterday I received an email from the international president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), I've quoted it below. The link they provided takes one directly to a pre-texted email that goes directly to my House representative with words that basically say, vote FOR health care, blah blah blah... Fortunately, the pre-texted email allows you to change or add to the wording of the email going to my House representative. Since I am against this current farce of a bill that does not lower health care costs and takes our country down that slippery slope to a point of unsustainable debt and perhaps bankruptcy, I reworded my email; I've also quoted it below. I will say, however, that my representative is Darrell Issa (R-CA), and as you know from his many media appearances, he will vote 'no' on this bill (if there is a vote). We all need to take a stand AGAINST this effort. If you have not been able to call your representative, please do take the time to email them as well; or better yet, do both.

The email from AFSCME:

Dear Member,

This is the week we've been waiting for — the week when members of the House of Representatives choose to stand with us or the insurance companies.

The insurance industry operatives and Republican talking heads you see on cable TV say we need to start over and spend another year — or another decade — before we pass reform. They twist the facts to say that the public opposes reform, but what the public really opposes are attempts to water down or kill reform to keep the insurance companies happy.

AFSCME members like you are fighting the good fight and have been a critical voice for the past year in the health insurance reform debate. Together, we've made literally tens of thousands of phone calls and sent even more emails to our senators and representatives. The insurance industry has deep pockets and is doing all it can to kill reform — but we won't let them win. This is our moment.

The bill that the House will soon vote on would end the ability of insurance companies to deny coverage to those who have pre-existing conditions — or deny coverage when you get sick. It would require insurance companies to pay for preventive care. It would also allow parents to keep their unemployed children on their policies until they turn 26. And it would end taxpayer funded subsidies to Big Insurance.

The historic nature of this moment cannot be overstated. The opportunity to end insurance company abuses is a moment for which we have worked long and hard. It is a vote that will affect our children, and their children. Please take a moment now to contact your member of Congress. Tell him/her the time has come to stand up to the insurance companies. The time has come to pass health care reform.

Please go to: http://www.unionvoice.org/cam paign/stand_up_for_reform

Thanks to you, when the history books are written on this struggle, they will read: AFSCME was there.

In solidarity,

Gerald W. McEntee
International President

My email to my representative, Darrell Issa (R-CA):

It is time to end this insanity to take our state, our country, and our future over the cliff. You cannot continue to spend massive amounts of taxpayer dollars on this farce you call health care reform. You cannot enforce price controls on insurance companies without cutting the actual cost of health care provided by doctors and providers--it is foolish and ideological to think that you can, and this will only result in bankrupting insurance companies. It is insane and not logical to think that you will be able to control costs by enacting price controls on insurance companies alone.

There are real reforms that can be enacted; you can start with enacting tort reform laws, allow interstate buying of insurance, let people deduct their insurance costs as companies do now, allow health savings account deductions, provide refundable tax credits so individuals can buy their own insurance, and allow small business to pool together to buy insurance for employees in any state.

There are so many more SMARTER actions you can take. A vote FOR this maniacal action by you will equate to my vote AGAINST you in the next election. And, believe me, I will take every action necessary to build a populus to OUST you from your seat.

Health Insurance Bills and the "Deeming" Process

I could not help myself anymore. As much as I want to stay away from the white house website, I just had to send an email to Mr. Obama to let him know how I feel about the health insurance bills currently in congress and their plan to use that demon 'deeming' process. At this point, I feel I have a right to voice my concerns and feelings and I have that freedom of speech, at least for now. Here's what I wrote:

"I am thoroughly disgusted with congress' plan to force a sham of a health insurance bill. I want reform to lower costs and provide coverage for as many people as possible--wanting reform has never been a disputed issue. However, the current bills DO NOT ensure lower costs to anyone and ARE detrimental to the health of our economy. Do you NOT hear me? THE BILLS DO NOT LOWER COSTS AND ARE DETRIMENTAL TO OUR ECONOMIC HEALTH. And, the 'deeming' process congress is threatening to use for passage of these pigs (bills) is unconscionable and borders on malfeasance. For you, sir, to agree with and support the use of this 'deeming' process is in itself an act of treason against our nation. You are a most disgusting and pathetic person. I pity your beautiful children who will, for years, be ridiculed for your mismanagement of our country and your folly."

Thune Amdt. No. 3301; To terminate authority under the Troubled Asset Relief Program, and for other purposes

I subscribe to Congress.org's MegaVote update newsletter that advises information on key votes for bills and amendments in both the house and senate and also provides information on my specific representative's votes. Today I received notice that the Thune Amendment to terminate TARP was rejected for insufficient votes; 60 yes votes were required, the final count was 53 (yes) to 45 (no). The newsletter also stated that my representatives, Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA), had voted yes and no, respectively. I was so angered by Barbara Boxer's no vote and realized that she is and will always be an arrogant elitist. Madam Boxer has lost touch with her constituents, the constitution, her obligation to the people of the United States, and will stop at nothing, endangering the welfare of our entire nation along with her crony progressive liberal senators. I have emailed her regarding the Thune Amendment and suggest that everyone email their senators that also voted 'no' on the amendment. Below is the email I sent, feel free to use the same verbiage:

Madam Boxer, you must be out of your mind and too much of an elitist to understand that main street USA stops spending when they are in too much debt. Your continued spending and voting along party lines regardless of the benefit to bills and amendments I guarantee will oust you from the Senate. I, as one of main street USA's senior middle class, will make ever effort and take any measure to ensure you NEVER hold office again. Consider this your eviction notice.

President for a Day Survey

I received the following email today from American Solutions:

Following up on yesterday's email, it's clear that after Scott Brown's victory and the loss of his filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, President Obama must rethink his options, and his agenda.

And the first real signal of whether or not President Obama took any definitive lessons from the Massachusetts election will be next Wednesday, when he gives his State of the Union address.

So our question for you today is, what should President Obama say next week?

The last question on the survey asked, "What do you want President Obama to speak to in his State of the Union Address?" My answer was simple and to the point:

First and foremost, Mr. Obama should advise us of his plan to resign. It should include his acknowledgment that using enhanced interrogation techniques is a better solution to questioning terrorists, he should admit his mistake in his decision to bring terrorists such as KSM for trial in a civilian court on U.S. soil, he should admit the $787 billion stimulus package did NOT save or create jobs and his plans to return any unused tax dollars, he should advise us that he is dropping his health care agenda, he should acknowledge that he erred in the auto industry take over pandering to the unions and his new plan to correct this malfeasance, and, finally, a sincere apology to the American people for his errors in judgment and agendas that are not in consonance with our constitution.

No One is Safe With Obama Care Legislation!

Watch out Federal civil service employees, you’re not safe unless you have a united and loud voice. If you’ve been sitting back, just not worried about what happens to health care because it does not affect you, read the article below regarding the amendments currently in work in the Senate and think twice. For those of you in California, Rep. Darrell Issa has been taking care of you; however, I have no faith in Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) nor Barbara Boxer (D-CA). Both Feinstein and Boxer tend to vote along party lines without regard to dissent and outcome. Also, keep in mind that Boxer will soon take everyone for a ride with the Cap and Trade green legislation she is 'marking-up' in the Senate. If you don’t do something now, you have no one to blame but yourselves for not getting involved. Write to your congressmen/women and voice your opinions:

Contact Senator Dianne Feinstein

Contact Senator Barbara Boxer

Contact Representative Darrell Issa

If you are not a resident of California or live in counties other than Riverside and/or San Diego, you can find your local congressmen/women on the internet or voice your discontent at www.Congress.Org; just input your zip code, then click on the word ‘federal’ under the blue box titled “write your elected officials.”

You can also use the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) web site to voice your assent/dissent. The preprinted text can be changed to suit your comments or personalize your message to your specific representatives.

Don’t sit back and watch things happen, get involved in your future.

Proposal would end federal health benefits plan
By Alex M. Parker aparker@govexec.com September 23, 2009

Several of the more than 500 amendments the Senate Finance Committee is facing as it begins a marathon markup of health care reform legislation would affect public servants' health coverage -- and one would end the federal government's health insurance program.

The provision, offered by ranking member Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, would force civil servants to leave the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and purchase insurance through the state-based health exchanges that are a centerpiece of the health reform bill. Employees would move to the exchanges beginning in 2013.

The idea behind the amendment is "to require that elected officials and federal employees purchase insurance in the same manner proposed in the [bill] for private citizens," according to a summary on the Finance Committee's Web site.

Representatives from Grassley's office did not return calls for comment.

Daniel Adcock, legislative director for the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, said his organization would oppose such an amendment. He noted the proposal could be designed to damage the overall bill's chances of passage. "It may be a way to drive a point home -- if the exchange system is good enough for the public, then it should be good enough for federal employees," Adcock said.

Another proposed amendment, sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., would allow some members of the general public to purchase FEHBP benefits. Qualifying citizens would join the same risk pool as federal employees, which could result in increased premiums for current enrollees, Adcock said. He added that NARFE would support the idea only if enrollees from outside the government were placed in a separate risk pool.

The Finance Committee began considering amendments on Tuesday; Chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., is aiming to complete the markup by the end of the week.

Full text: www.govexec.com