washingtonscene Addressing our na-

tion’s debt is a prior- ity, and all Americans must be prepared to share the sacrifices to accomplish it. But a nation still in conflict 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 ongo- ing military operations around the world. This threatens the nation’s ability to respond to fu- ture threats and places the burden of these operations squarely on the shoulders of the remaining troops and families. The recent two-year budget agreement does not fix the problem; it only defers it. To the extent force cuts require sepa-

ration of servicemembers with lengthy service, MOAA supports the use of the early retirement authority and enhanced voluntary separation incentives to more fairly recognize the extended service and sacrifice of these servicemembers.

Health Care Issues

TRICARE reform Military health care recommendations from the Military Compensation and Re- tirement Modernization Commission have the potential to stimulate major changes to military health care programs. MOAA will strive to ensure the problems with TRI- CARE are addressed in a systemic manner, programs that are working well are sus-

PHOTO: SEAN SHANAHAN

Fighting for MOAA's interests are, from left, Brooke Goldberg; Jamie Naughton; Capt. Kathy Beasley, USN (Ret); Col. Bob Norton, USA (Ret); MOAA President Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, USAF (Ret); Col. Steve Strobridge, USAF (Ret); Col. Mike Barron, USA (Ret); Col. Phil Odom, USAF (Ret); Cmdr. Rene Campos, USN (Ret); and Trina Fitzgerald.

tained, and problem areas are addressed to improve care, coverage, and readiness.

Sustain TRICARE/TRICARE For Life (TFL) Maintain and improve benefit consistency for all beneficiary groups, with the follow- ing objectives:  Oppose enrollment fees for TFL. Con- gress expressly indicated when TFL was enacted servicemembers’ decades of service and sacrifice, in addition to Part B enroll- ment, constitute their proper premium.  Oppose initiatives to dramatically limit coverage by Medicare supplement policies, including TFL.  Ensure timely access to the full range of mental health care services for servicemem- bers and their families and caregivers. Seek increased oversight and funding to ensure an improved joint DoD and VA effort.  Promote beneficiary-friendly initiatives to reduce long-term military health care costs, such as expanded, positive incentives

JANUARY 2016 MILITARY OFFICER 43