[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 41 (Friday, March 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCTION OF DOLE-WATTS MEDICARE SUBVENTION BILL

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                          HON. J.C. WATTS, JR.

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 1996

  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to join with 
Senator Bob Dole in taking the first step toward reopening our Nation's 
military hospitals to Medicare eligible military retirees. I am 
introducing legislation today that will launch a demonstration project 
to underscore the cost-effectiveness of Medicare reimbursement to the 
Department of Defense for the treatment of military beneficiaries aged 
65 and older at these facilities.
  The Department of Defense's new managed health care program, Tricare, 
replaced the traditional military health care program CHAMPUS [Civilian 
Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services]. While medical 
treatment may be improved under Tricare for many members and retirees 
of the Nation's armed services, Medicare eligible military retirees are 
not so lucky because Tricare does not provide for their care at 
military hospitals except on a space available basis.
  With the acceleration of military down-sizing and base closings, 
fewer and fewer military retirees will be eligible for treatment at 
military hospitals. This is unacceptable. When our Nation's servicemen 
and women made their commitment to serve our country, we guaranteed 
them lifetime health care at military facilities. Tricare undercuts 
that commitment for Medicare eligible beneficiaries and breaks the 
contract we made with America's retired military personnel.
  The legislation that I have introduced today will allow for a 
Medicare subvention demonstration which permits the Health Care 
Financing Administration to repay the Department of Defense for medical 
services provided to these Medicare eligible retirees. The 
demonstration project I propose will not contribute to additional costs 
to the Medicare program and does not change the manner or process under 
which the Secretary of Defense currently budgets for health care 
services.
  I believe that Medicare subvention will prove to be not only feasible 
and cost-effective, but more importantly, it is the continuation of our 
contract with America's service men and women. I invite my colleagues 
to join as cosponsors of this important legislation and maintain the 
commitment we have made with our Nation's military personnel.

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