donyoung.house.gov

Young
Contact:


Veteran's Health Issues

Washington, D.C., May 10 -

Congress has a responsibility to ensure that promises made to our veterans and active duty personnel are kept. Unfortunately there are many problems with TRICARE the military health care system that provides health care services to its beneficiaries from active duty personnel to military retirees.  The DOD has proposed changes to TRICARE to manage its costs more effectively.  However, this will affect all working age retirees under 65, increasing their annual payments to TRICARE.  According to the DOD, this adjustment must be made because the plan hasn’t been adjusted for inflation since TRICARE’s inception in 1995.

Even though the DOD has made these recommendations with national security in mind, we cannot forget to provide for the men and women who are serving or have served in our Armed Forces. The House Armed Services Committee will continue to take a close look at this issue as it continues working on the National Defense Authorization Act.  A balance between best serving current beneficiaries while ensuring continuation of the TRICARE program can and must be found.  Furthermore, I will continue to do my utmost to protect our veterans’ welfare, by supporting all well thought out legislation that will secure TRICARE’s future.

In addition to the problems with TRICARE there is the recent uncovering of the poor housing conditions for our wounded service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, which is completely unacceptable.  The improper administration of these facilities cannot be left without blame and I was pleased to see Defense Secretary Robert Gates take immediate action to remove the responsible parties involved.  It is the duty of this Nation to provide all the necessary care for every wounded service member returning from the Global War on Terror and I will continue to support these efforts.