House Bill Would Give Congress Health Fee Authority

Reps. Chet Edwards, D-Texas, and Walter Jones, R-N.C., introduced a bill March 14 that would strip the Defense Department of its power to increase military health care fees. This would prohibit the doubling and tripling of Tricare premiums DoD has planned for military retirees under age 65. The Military Retirees’ Health Care Protection Act would place authority for future increases in the hands of Congress. The bill, which gained almost 50 co-sponsors within 24 hours, went to the House Armed Services Committee. If the committee approves, it would go to the House floor for a vote. Rep. Edwards is the ranking minority member of the House Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs; Rep. Jones is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.