[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 154 (Friday, September 29, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



[[Page E 1877]]


     OFFERING MILITARY DEPENDENTS AND NONACTIVE DUTY MILITARY THE 
  OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS 
                                PROGRAM

                                 ______


                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 1995

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, recently, the Civil Service Subcommittee of 
the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee held hearings into 
the problems with the military health services system. Assistant 
Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs described the three biggest 
problems in military health care as ``access, access, access.'' Those 
of us who have military installations in our congressional districts 
are all too familiar with these problems. It is not unusual for our 
caseworkers to be helping military spouses or dependents receive health 
care treatment because they could not get a doctor's appointment at the 
on-base military clinic.
  In all fairness to the Defense Department, the Office of Health 
Affairs has been working to improve access. Last December, DOD 
announced it was expanding its health care program to provide military 
dependents and retirees with a triple option health care benefit. The 
cornerstone of the plan is the Tricare Prime option which affords 
beneficiaries the option to enroll in a managed care program. 
Beneficiaries will also be able to choose the current health care 
coverage provided under the CHAMPUS--now called Tricare Standard--fee-
for-service program. The third option--Tricare Extra--will give 
beneficiaries access to a preferred provider plan.
  The Tricare plan leaves many questions unanswered, and many military 
families are skeptical that Tricare will increase access to the health 
care.
  Today, I am introducing legislation that would offer military 
beneficiaries the opportunity to participate in the Federal Employees 
Health Benefits Program [FEHBP] on a demonstration basis in States 
where beneficiaries care covered under the Tricare Program. FEHBP has 
been held up as a model for containing health care costs and providing 
access to Federal employees. Certainly, the military families and 
retired military personnel deserve the same health care access and 
advantage of the FEHBP's wide range of choices. The current system of 
providing health care to military beneficiaries on a space-available 
basis, through a priority system, is no more than rationed health care. 
Military beneficiaries deserve better, and I am confident that they 
will obtain better health care benefits through FEHBP.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation is not perfect. It serves as a draft to 
be perfected. This bill will change as I receive comments from the 
Department of Defense, Office of Personnel Management, the military 
coalition, and other interested parties. It is my hope, however, that 
this vehicle will raise the issue to a level of debate that will enable 
us in Congress to seriously study merits of allowing military 
dependents and military retirees the opportunity to participate in the 
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

                          ____________________