The Defense Department budget released Feb. 6 includes a
previously disclosed plan to increase Tricare costs for
military retirees younger than age 65 and their families.
Fees for health benefits would triple over three years for
officers and double for enlisted. According to Dr. William
Winkenwerder Jr., assistant secretary of defense for health
affairs, the changes will not modify the benefits military
beneficiaries receive under the program. The Defense
Department’s only motivation in making these changes is to
ensure health benefits are maintained at their current level,
he asserted. The proposed changes will save billions of
dollars over the years and will allow the department to
sustain the best health system in the country, he declared.
He said the “leadership” is in agreement that the plan is
“appropriate, prudent, fair, equitable and necessary.” Many
veterans’ organizations vehemently disagree and are lobbying
Congress to reject the plan.
