[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 83 (Monday, June 16, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BOND:
  S. 912. A bill to provide for certain military retirees and 
dependents a special medicare part B enrollment period during which the 
late enrollment penalty is waived and a special medigap open period 
during which no underwriting is permitted; to the Committee on Finance.


                      medicare part b legislation

  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a measure that 
would provide for certain military retirees a special Medicare part B 
enrollment period during which the late enrollment penalty is waived.
  Major changes in the Department of Defense's [DOD] health care 
delivery system, including the introduction of a managed care program 
called TRICARE and the closing or downsizing of many military medical 
facilities, have hindered access to health care services for older 
military retirees, or those aged 65 and over. It is important to note 
that the TRICARE Program was designed for active duty and CHAMPUS 
eligible beneficiaries and the overall intent is for those aged 65 and 
older to receive their health care through the Medicare Program.
  Many of our country's military retirees moved close to bases in order 
to receive care from these facilities. Due to the fact that they had 
medical services available on base, before the implementation of 
TRICARE and base closures, many of these retirees did not sign up for 
medicare part B. Once their access was restricted, many elected to 
choose part B after the enrollment period expired and were therefore 
slapped with a penalty for signing up late. Others chose not to sign up 
at all because they were unable to afford the late enrollment penalty.
  Thus, waiving the part B penalty for those retirees who dedicated 
their lives to serving our country is a matter of justice. There was no 
way that military retirees could have anticipated the changes that have 
occurred within the DOD's health care delivery system.
  Further, these changes were completely out of their control.
  Mr. President, the Senate must act now. This measure rectifies the 
unfairness inherent in the Medicare part B penalty on certain military 
retirees and honors our Nation's commitment to those individuals who 
selflessly served our country through many years of military service. I 
look forward to the Senate's consideration of this proposal.

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