[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 51 (Thursday, April 30, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3937-S3938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HOLLINGS:
  S. 2020. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to permit 
beneficiaries of the military health care system to enroll in Federal 
employees health benefits plans; to improve health care benefits under 
CHAMPUS and TRICARE Standard, and for other purposes; to the Committee 
on Armed Services.


                 the military health care equality act

  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Military 
Health Care Equality Act. Mr. President, it may come a surprise to many 
that the Department of Defenses has reneged on its promise to those who 
have honorably served in our military forces. That, Mr. President, is 
the promise of lifetime, quality healthcare for the military retiree 
and his family. I now introduce legislation that will offer all 
Senators the opportunity to join with me in righting this 
unconscionable wrong.
  Today our military retirees feel betrayed. Before joining, and while 
serving, they were promised quality, lifetime healthcare. However, that 
promise is being broken. Military health care facilities have closed 
because of the downsizing of our military forces. Those military health 
facilities that remain can treat fewer and fewer retirees. The TRICARE 
system has high overhead and its provider fees are so low that many 
health care providers will not participate. In addition, in some areas, 
retirees do not have access to provider networks. Finally, the TRICARE 
system will not treat Medicare eligible retirees. Mr. President, it is 
just not right that the military retiree is the only Federal retiree 
who is prevented from using his employer provided health care when 
reaching Medicare age.
  This legislation requires the DOD to provide all military retirees 
with health care that is comparable to the care provided by the Federal 
Employees Health Benefits Plan, or failing that, to make the FEHBP 
available. In addition, this legislation would require that TRICARE be 
improved to the FEHBP level. This Legislation will not prevent a 
retiree from using a military health care facility. However, it will 
improve and increase the health care choices for our retirees.
  Our military men and women have given much to protect our country in 
time of peace and war. We must acknowledge this by providing them the 
available, affordable, quality health care that they were promised. No 
lesser measure will suffice.
  Therefore, I urge my colleagues to join me in immediately enacting 
this

[[Page S3938]]

legislation so that we can now begin to care for military retirees, as 
promised, in a manner they so richly deserve for their service to our 
great Nation.
                                 ______