[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 29, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11350-S11351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BOND (for himself, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Warner, Mr. Reid, Mr. 
        Johnson, Mr. Hollings, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Mack, Mrs. Murray, 
        Mr. Ashcroft, Mr. Craig, Mr. Bumpers, Mr. Leahy, Ms. Collins, 
        Mr. Sessions, Mr. Allard, Mr. Baucus, and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 1334. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to establish a 
demonstration project to evaluate the feasibility of using the Federal 
Employees Health Benefits program to ensure the availablity of adequate 
health care for Medicare-eligible beneficiaries under the military 
health care system; to the Committee on Armed Services.


         FEHBP DEMONSTRATION FOR MILITARY RETIREES LEGISLATION

  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a measure on 
behalf of myself, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Warner, Mr. Reid of Nevada, Mr. 
Johnson, Mr. Hollings, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Mack, Mrs. Murray, Mr. 
Ashcroft, Mr. Craig, Mr. Bumpers, Mr. Leahy, Mrs. Collins, Mr. 
Sessions, Mr. Allard, Mr. Baucus, and Mrs. Feinstein.
  This vital, bipartisan legislation would establish a demonstration 
project to evaluate the feasibility of using the Federal Employees 
Health Benefits Program [FEHBP] to ensure the availability of adequate 
health care for Medicare-eligible beneficiaries under the military 
health care system.
  Current trends, such as base closures, the downsizing of military 
treatment facilities, and the introduction of TRICARE, have all 
hindered access to health care services for military retirees aged 65 
and over. In theory, Medicare-eligible retirees can receive health care 
services at military treatment facilities on a space available basis; 
however, active duty and their dependents have priority.
  Therefore, in reality, space is rarely available--resulting in 
military retirees being locked out of the Department of Defense's [DOD] 
health care delivery system. And because of their considered secondary 
status, many retirees are forced to travel great distances to receive 
even the minimum of care.
  Further, when compared to what other Federal and private sector 
retirees receive in terms of health care options, it is easy to note 
that the current health care choices for military retirees are woefully 
inadequate and downright inexcusable.
  This measure will rectify the inequity of the current system and take 
the guesswork out of the financial viability of an FEHBP option for 
military retirees.
  Scheduled for no more than 3 years, the FEHBP pilot program would be 
tested at two different sites. One site will be within a military 
treatment facility catchment area and the other in a noncatchment area. 
Up to 50,000 Medicare-eligible military retirees will be able to 
participate in the demonstration, with each site capped at 25,000 
retirees.
  Mr. President, this legislation represents an active step toward 
honoring our Nation's obligation to those military retirees who 
faithfully and selflessly served our country in times of war and in 
times of peace. Furthermore, this measure will provide retirees more 
dependable, consistent, and affordable care while simultaneously 
applying equitable standards of health care for all Federal retirees.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues on this bipartisan piece 
of legislation.
  Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, according to the latest statistics, 
Alabama is home to 47,011 military retirees. We have the eight largest 
population of retired service personnel in the Nation. Senator Bond 
highlighted the many changes in DOD's health care system that are 
limiting access to health care for military retirees aged 65 and above. 
I would like to briefly explain how these general trends are affecting 
the 47,011 military retirees in my State.
  The 1995 BRAC slated Fort McClellan for closure by 1999. When that 
base closes, Noble Army Hospital will be forced to close as well. The 
emergency room at Lyster Army Hospital at Fort

[[Page S11351]]

Rucker is being closed. At all of the military treatment facilities, 
space-available is becoming unavailable. In addition to these physical 
changes, TRICARE came on line in region 4, and Alabama now is 
experiencing excessive delays in receiving reimbursement payments and 
other well-known problems associated with TRICARE. Many private 
physicians who provided CAMPUS are leaving the DOD health care, which I 
believe is unacceptable and irresponsible.
  Despite extended service and sacrifice, retired service members are 
the only Federal employees who will lose their government-sponsored 
health insurance when they become eligible for Medicare. This bill 
takes a modest step forward to insuring that military retirees receive 
at least as much as Members of Congress or retired Federal employees. 
Military retirees have dedicated their lives to protecting our Nation; 
we owe it to them to pave the way for health care equity.
  I thank Senator Bond for his leadership in introducing this 
legislation. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this bipartisan bill.
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