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war, and treating military people fairly are not mutually exclusive. Addressing our nation’s debt is a

priority, and all Americans must be prepared to share the sacrifices re- quired to accomplish it. But a nation still at war must meet funding needs for both people and weapons, rather than sacrificing one for the other. The arbitrary cuts of sequestration

will force service planners to impose even steeper force-reduction efforts in the midst of ongoing military opera- tions around the world. This threat- ens the nation’s ability to respond to future threats and places the burden of these operations squarely on the shoulders of the remaining troops and families. Therefore, finding relief from sequestration for DoD will be a top goal this year. To the extent force cuts require

separation of members with lengthy service, MOAA supports the use of the early retirement authority and enhanced voluntary separation incen- tives to more fairly recognize these service- members’ extended service and sacrifice.

Health Care Issues

Bar disproportional TRICARE fee hikes MOAA insists 1) a unique military health plan is an essential offset to the arduous conditions entailed in a military career; 2) any fee-adjustment formula must recognize that military beneficiaries prepay very large premiums for their lifetime coverage through decades of service and sacrifice; and 3) the country must have a higher obligation to them than corporate employers demonstrate for their active and retired employees. To that end, any percentage increase in military beneficiaries’ health care fees in any year

PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT

Fighting for MOAA's interests are, from left, Col. Catherine Mozden Lewis, USA (Ret); Jamie Naughton; Matt Murphy; Capt. Kathy Beasley, USN (Ret); Col. Bob Norton, USA (Ret); MOAA President Vice Adm. Norbert R. Ryan Jr., USN (Ret); Col. Mike Hayden, USAF (Ret); Col. Mike Barron, USA (Ret); Col. Phil Odom, USAF (Ret); and Karen Golden.

should not exceed the percentage increase in their military compensation. MOAA adamantly will resist propos- als to make military health care programs more like those offered by civilian employ- ers, such as proposals to dramatically in- crease pharmacy copayments, bar retirees from participation in TRICARE Prime, and/or add thousands of dollars a year to military beneficiaries’ costs.

Reverse Medicare/TRICARE payment cuts Medicare and TRICARE (whose payment levels are tied to Medicare’s by law) already pay health care providers less than most commercial insurance, and further payment cuts will deter providers from accepting military beneficiaries. Under current law, Medicare and TRICARE payments will be reduced nearly 22

JANUARY 2015 MILITARY OFFICER 43