washington scene
Equally troubling were the VA witnesses’ responses to committee questions. Rather than addressing root causes and measurements of progress in easing access delays and other problems, VA officials only cited numbers, programs, and process information.
Like members of the committee, MOAA would like to see real results — outcome measures that prove the VA is helping veterans to become healthier and making a real difference in their lives.
MOAA Spouse Symposium
Panelists at the seventh annual event focus on unemployment.
MOAA hosted its seventh annual military spouse symposium*, titled “Keeping a Career on the Move,” Feb. 8 at the University of Washington, Tacoma. The event, courtesy of executive sponsor TriWest Healthcare Alliance and gold sponsor Marsh U.S. Consumer, drew more than 300 military spouses.
The day-long symposium opened with a dynamic employer panel, “Five Things Employers Want You to Know.” Representatives from Starbucks, Amazon, USAA, Wittenberg Weiner Consulting, and the Army Community Services Employment Readiness Program at Joint Base Lewis-McChord provided attendees with important tips for landing a job as a military spouse.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) provided the keynote address. As a military child, a spouse of a former servicemember, and a mother, Murray’s message of gratitude and support resonated with the spouses in attendance. Murray said, “We are doing some but not nearly enough” for military spouses. She promised to continue to fight in Congress for military spouse and family programs.
MOAA President Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN (Ret), cited the importance of improving the dismal 27 percent unemployment rate of military spouses who want to work outside of the home and encouraged employers to join DoD’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership. Capt. Jim Carman, USN (Ret), director
of MOAA’s Transition Center; Capt. Pat Cole, USN (Ret), a deputy director with the Transition Center; and Monique Rizer, deputy director, MOAA Spouse Programs, provided career-focused seminars and mentoring sessions.
The afternoon concluded with a panel of three military spouses sharing strategies on managing a career while on active duty. Karen Golden, deputy director with MOAA Government Relations; Mark San Souci, regional liaison for the DoD State Liaison Office; and Rosy Maury, director of research, Syracuse University’s Institute of Veterans and Military Families, discussed state and federal initiatives that support military spouse employment and career portability.
Rise in TRICARE Pharmacy Rates
Rate increase is effective Feb. 1.
The new copayments for prescription drugs covered by TRICARE went into effect Feb. 1. The FY 2013 Defense Authorization Act requires TRICARE to increase copayments on brand-name and non-formulary medications that are not filled at military clinics or hospitals. There is no increase to copayments for generic medications.
While MOAA isn’t a fan of raising rates, we did recognize these adjustments were the “lesser of the evils” that otherwise would have been foisted upon us.
*online: For more coverage of the spouse symposium, visit
www.moaa.org/symposiumuwt.
34 MILITARY OFFICER APRIL 2013
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