Webb introduces bill to specifically protect TRICARE....

U.S. Sen. Jim Webb has introduced a bill to specifically protect military health insurance called TRICARE in the looming health reform package.

Webb announced that he would introduce the bill Monday afternoon after a flood of confusion and attention to the military program that extends coverage and benefits to military members and families who can't secure on-base coverage.

Hampton Roads lawmakers have been sounding warnings about TRICARE since last week, and even statements from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates haven't managed to convince everyone that the program won't be harmed by the reform overhaul.

Here's a few paragraphs from Webb's office and an explanation of the TRICARE program.  

“There has been a great deal of confusion over the past year surrounding the future of TRICARE and other military health care programs,” said Senator Webb, who serves as chairman of the Personnel Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Armed Services. “This bill sets the record straight, and I applaud Congressman Skelton for his efforts to see to the needs of our men and women in uniform and other beneficiaries. Supporting this bill will reassure our servicemembers that the coverage provided by TRICARE will be treated as minimal essential coverage under the health care reform bill when it is signed into law by the president.”

Continued Webb: “As one who grew up in the military, served as a Marine in Vietnam and spent five years in the Pentagon, I know the special obligation we have to provide our military service members, their families, and our veterans with the very finest health care coverage available.”

TRICARE, TRICARE for Life, and the DOD nonappropriated fund (NAF) provide health coverage to members of the military and their families, military retirees and their families, and employees of U.S. military post/base exchanges and other nonappropriated fund activities. Beneficiaries of TRICARE for Life and military veterans’ health care programs also satisfy requirements for individual health insurance under the health care reform bill and will not be required to purchase additional coverage.

Comments

[Debra Flounder]

Too late, you sold us out to your bosses. You have disappointed us beyond belief. Did you EVEN READ the bill or just vote in favor because you are DEMOCRAT. You do not deserve to serve Virginia in any matter in government. What a disappointment you have become. Hopefully you will not continue in your present or future capacity to represent Virginia. Please don'e send me another of your scripted email to response if you do at all. You are a scum of politics, and have sold your soul to the last bidder.

[Dee]

I am delighted to see that the people of Hampton Roads have finally woken up and stopped drnking the Democratic kool aid. Just wait till this bill really starts giving. Increased taxes, mandates and a take over of our country. I wonder what is next on Barry's agenda. Even Castro is applauding him.
God Bless our fighting men in the services.

[Hildebrand, The Insurance Warden]

It invites some question as to the worth of the new health insurance industry, if congressmen are thinking of ways to protect government employees from the reform. In a sense, I think we've moved on to triage already.

[Jan]

My mother is 75 and on Medicare...she had to call 6 different OB/GYN offices just to find one that will take Medicare...this is our future..good luck trying to find doctors that will take ObamaCare...

[Reasonable person]

Why do I already see signs in my doctors office that they are no longer accepting TRICARE? A scary sign of the future!

[Barry Soetoro]

To GOP SUX - Let's See....I have 3 Bronze Stars and two purple hearts....how about you draft dodger? Three PBRs destroyed by VC rockets and weapons fire, but it was all good. I did my part unlike you who sat back and smoked dope and listed to Grateful Dead Albums.

P.S. The real Barry Soetoro was never in the Military and is a socialist.

Cargosquid - my point exactly if the Health Care Reform is soooo good, why an emergency bill to protect Tricare and Military health care for us disabled vets.

[GOP SUX]

I wonder if barry is talking about all those veterans who are getting their medical care through the only true "socialist" health care system we have in the USA, the Department of Veterans Affairs?

And how many Bronze Stars, Purple Heats and Navy Cross awards and Marine platoons did you earn and lead, you gutless pig?

[Barry Soetoro]

Webb disgraces all Veterans with his support of socialistic Health Care views. I bet he worked for the Viet Cong the whole time he was on Nam. Turncoat and traitor!!!!!

[mary]

he cant protect anything or anybody. he wont even have a town hall meeting with his constituents. we will remember.

[cargosquid]

Perhaps if the recent travesty of a health bill had not passed the Senate, he would not have to "protect" TRICARE.