[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 24, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H3885-H3887]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRICARE COVERAGE TO GUARD AND RESERVE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Taylor) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I cannot help but be moved by 
what the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson) just had to say. It 
seems with all too much frequency, on a daily basis, either in the 
local media, the national media, we are learning of young Marines, 
young National Guardsmen, young members of the Army and Navy who have 
given their lives in Iraq.
  Right now, 40 percent of all the force in Iraq and Afghanistan are 
Guardsmen or Reservists. That is something that is very different from 
previous wars. In fact, in the Vietnam War, very few Guardsmen and 
Reservists were sent over there. In the first Gulf War, there was a 
substantial call-up. But I do not think at any time in our Nation's 
recent history have we ever seen so many Guardsmen and Reservists 
serving. If Members take the time to look at the casualty reports, they 
will know that not only are 40 percent of the people serving over there 
Guardsmen and Reservists, but a very high new number of the people who 
are wounded, a very high number of the people who lose their lives are 
in the Guard and Reserve.
  Last Friday I had the great privilege to visit some Mississippians at 
Walter Reed. I asked the folks on the floor if I could visit every 
wounded Mississippian. It might surprise some people to find out of the 
five soldiers that I was able to visit, every one of them was a 
Guardsmen or Reservist.

                              {time}  2230

  Young William Brooks, a student at Mississippi State University, in a 
Humvee that ran over a mine, lost both legs. Young Corporal Rice, of 
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, lost a leg with the Marine Corps Reserve. 
Specialist Yancy, a reservist in the heating and air conditioning 
business back home. Young Elliot Smith, who lost a foot with the 115th 
Mississippi National Guard.
  The stories go on. It is not unique to Mississippi. But what is I 
think a unique burden that is borne by our Guardsmen and Reservists is 
that unlike their regular counterparts that they serve next to every 
day, they are not afforded an opportunity to buy into our Nation's 
health care system.
  It is called TRICARE, and it is not free. They do have to pay into 
the system. They have to pay even more if they want their family 
covered. But right now, if you are a Guardsman or Reservist, you cannot 
even buy in. One of the things we found out is that 20 percent of all 
our Nation's Guardsmen and Reservists do not have health insurance. 
Twenty percent of our Nation's Guardsmen and Reservists also, 
coincidentally, were found unfit for duty when they were called up, and 
it might well be because of this lack of health insurance.
  Last week in the House Committee on Armed Services I offered an 
amendment, along with seven of my Republican colleagues and a number of 
Democrats, to see to it that TRICARE was extended to every Guardsman 
and Reservist, not just those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
  After a spirited debate and over, by the way the objections of the 
committee chairman, the ranking member, the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. McHugh), by a vote of 32 to 30, the committee decided to extend 
TRICARE coverage to every single member of our Nation's Guard and 
Reserve, because we felt like they deserved it.
  Sometime between 1 o'clock in the morning when this passed and 6 
o'clock Thursday evening, the gentleman from California (Chairman 
Hunter) informed me right there in the back of the room that there was 
a budgetary concern about this, that there was some mandatory spending 
associated with the bill, that the gentleman from Iowa (Chairman 
Nussle) of the Committee on the Budget was going to raise a point of 
order.
  I would like to remind my colleagues that on 21 occasions already 
this year, 21 major pieces of legislation came to this floor where they 
waived every budgetary restraint. Sometimes it was so people like Paris 
Hilton could inherit tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars 
without paying any taxes on it. Sometimes it was for things like the 
prescription drug benefit for seniors, that we were told at the time 
would cost our Nation $435 billion, but it turns out it is really going 
to cost $1.2 trillion over the next 10 years. But they waived budgetary 
rules for that.
  The one time they selectively chose to enforce the budgetary rules 
was over $5 million for a very narrow bracket of National Guardsmen who 
happen to be Federal employees who are already on FEHBP and who might 
want to enroll in TRICARE. So the same folks who in the past 4 years 
have added over $2 trillion to the national debt, giving the wealthiest 
Americans, the political contributor class of America, enormous

[[Page H3886]]

tax breaks, decided that these folks who are serving in Iraq and 
Afghanistan, that they do not deserve the opportunity to buy their 
health care coverage. I think that is wrong.
  I went to the Committee on Rules tonight, and as we speak the 
Committee on Rules is going to vote on this. But I would like to remind 
the Committee on Rules that since last Thursday, the Reserve Officers 
Association of the United States, the Military Officer's Association of 
America, the Adjutants General Association of the United States, which 
is the Adjutant General of every single State, EANGUS, the National 
Guard Association, they all have come out in support of this amendment, 
and I will include their letters of support for the Record.
  Mr. Speaker, I am putting the Committee on Rules on notice that it is 
my intention to offer the motion to recommit should this amendment not 
be made in order, and that I think it is most appropriate that this 
amendment that has already passed the House Committee on Armed Services 
be voted on by every Member of this House.
                                                  Reserve Officers


                             Association of the United States,

                                     Washington, DC, May 24, 2005.
     Hon. Gene Taylor,
     Rayburn House Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Taylor, I am writing to confirm the 
     support of the Reserve Officers Association of the important 
     amendment to the FY 2006 National Defense Authorization Act 
     that you would like to bring to the House floor.
       ROA agrees that TRICARE Reserve Select should be extended 
     to the drilling population on a cost-share basis. 
     Mobilization should not be the physical qualification test to 
     achieve medical readiness, as it puts the cart before the 
     horse.
       The governments own studies have shown that between 20 to 
     25 percent of our Guardsmen and Reservists are without health 
     care coverage. Medical readiness is our number one challenge 
     when Reserve Components are mobilized.
       A Reservist is required to meet the same health and 
     physical fitness standard as is an Active-duty member. Yet 
     Reservists are the only part-time federal employee not 
     offered health care coverage.
       Better health care benefits will help our recruiting, 
     readiness and retention efforts. Providing TRICARE health 
     will help persuade spouses that the Guard and Reserve is a 
     career and not just a job.
       The Reserve Officers Association with its 75 thousand 
     members thanks you for your support. With the Guard and 
     Reserves providing 40 percent of the deployed forces, seeking 
     parity of benefits is a national security issue.
           Sincerely,

                                           Robert A. McIntosh,

                                   Major General, USAFR (Retired),
     Executive Director.
                                  ____

                                                Military Officers,


                                       Association of America,

                                     Alexandria, VA, May 23, 2005.
     Hon. David Dreier,
     Chairman, Committee on Rules, House of Representatives, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: On behalf of the 370,000 members of the 
     Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), I am writing 
     to urge you to support--or at least not to oppose--an 
     amendment that Reps. Gene Taylor and Joe Wilson wil1 offer to 
     the FY2006 Defense Authorization Act that would extend 
     TRICARE coverage eligibility to all members of the Selected 
     Reserve who are not eligible for the Federal Employees Health 
     Program (FEHBP).
       A broader amendment was approved by the Armed Services 
     Committee, but the Congressional Budget Office identified a 
     potential mandatory spending problem because certain members 
     also are eligible for FEHBP. The proposed Taylor-Wilson 
     amendment will resolve this problem by excluding FEHBP 
     enrollees from eligibility for the Reserve TRICARE program, 
     since they already have access to federal health coverage.
       MOAA believes strongly that it is essential to extend 
     health care eligibility to all Selected Reserve members. 
     These members make up 40 percent of our deployed forces, and 
     the Guard and Reserve already are experiencing recruiting and 
     retention difficulties.
       State National Guard leaders have consistently told us that 
     extending health coverage to all of these members is one of 
     the most important things we can do to improve recruiting and 
     retention. It is essential to ensure all Guard and Reserve 
     families have access to quality health care and to preserve 
     continuity of health coverage, regardless of the member's 
     mobilization status.
       I urge you to help facilitate this important initiative for 
     the Guard and Reserve members and families who are bearing 
     such a large and disproportional share of national sacrifice 
     in the war on terrorism.
           Sincerely,

                                         Steven P. Strobridge,

                                              Colonel, USAF (Ret),
     Director, Government Relations.
                                  ____

                                     Adjutants General Association


                                          of the United States

                                     Washington, DC, May 23, 2005.
     Hon. Gene Taylor,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Taylor: I am writing to advise that the 
     Adjutants General Association of the United States (AGAUS) 
     wholeheartedly endorses your amendment to the 2006 National 
     Defense Authorization Act which will provide full TRICARE 
     benefits to all National Guard and Reserve members. The AGAUS 
     met in Omaha, Nebraska on May 20, 2005 and voted 
     overwhelmingly to endorse the Taylor/Wilson amendment. The 
     Adjutants General from the fifty states and four territories 
     make up the AGAUS. All were represented in Omaho. The 
     discussion and vote were resoundlingly supportive.
       We believe it to be in the best interests of our nation to 
     provide full TRICARE benefits to all National Guard and 
     Reserve members. Full time military technicians and Active 
     Guard/Reserve (AGR) members already receive full medical 
     benefits through existing programs or TRICARE. However, the 
     traditional force does not have this option completely. The 
     TRICARE Reserve Select program recently enacted is a welcome 
     and appreciated step. However, your amendment is necessary to 
     ensure reserve component members are always able to report 
     ``ready for duty.'' Many will not require the benefit because 
     they have coverage through their civilian employment. This 
     will mitigate some of the concerns over the cost of program.
       Our National Guard and Reserve members are fighting along 
     side active duty forces to defeat terrorism. They and their 
     families should have the ability to share in medical 
     benefits. On behalf of the AGAUS thank you for realizing this 
     and so proactively working to achieve the equity our members 
     and families deserve.

                                              Roger P. Lempke,

                                               Major General, ANG,
                                                 President, AGAUS.
                                  ____
                                  
         Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United 
           States,
                                     Alexandria, VA, May 23, 2005.
     Re H.R. 1815 National Defense Authorization Act of 2006 Rule.

     Hon. David Dreier,
     Chairman, House Committee on Rules, Capitol Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Dreier: I am writing on behalf of 45,000 
     members of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard 
     (EANGUS). We urge you to adopt a Rule making in order the 
     amendment to be offered from Congressman Gene Taylor that 
     would allow cost-share access to TRICARE for eligible members 
     of the National Guard and Reserves.
       Since September 11, 2001, over 400,000 members of the 
     reserve component have been deployed. While we appreciate the 
     enhancements to TRICARE included in the committee bill (H.R. 
     1815), they will not address the issues of medical readiness 
     and continuity of care for members of the reserve component. 
     The availability of health insurance has a direct affect on a 
     service member's access to healthcare, health status, job 
     decisions and financial security.
       There is considerable bipartisan support for cost-share 
     access to TRICARE for all members of the National Guard and 
     Reserves, regardless of status. In the past two years, the 
     Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) has included a 
     provision in their version of the Defense Authorization bill 
     that provided cost-share access to TRICARE.
       The House Committee on Armed Services passed an amendment 
     that would provide TRICARE to all National Guard and Reserve 
     members by a vote of 32-30. We understand that the amendment 
     was stricken by the Chairman of the committee due to 
     budgetary implications. The new amendment that will be 
     offered by Congressman Taylor will address those issues.
       We believe this issue deserves full consideration by every 
     member of the House of Representatives. Therefore we urge you 
     to adopt a Rule making in order the Taylor amendment allowing 
     cost-share access to TRICARE for eligible members of the 
     reserve component.
       Working for America's Best!

                                              Michael P. Cline

                                                   MSG (Ret), AUS,
                                               Executive Director.
                                  ____
                                  
                                        National Guard Association


                                   of the United States, Inc.,

                                      Washington DC, May 23, 2005.
     Hon. David Dreier,
     Chairman, House Committee on Rules, Capitol Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Dreier: Late last week, thirty-one members of 
     the House Armed Services Committee voted to pass an amendment 
     which would provide access to health care, on a cost-share 
     basis, to members of the National Guard. Subsequently, 
     Chairman Hunter struck the amendment from the bill based on 
     potential budgetary implications which violated the rules.
       I am writing on behalf of the men and women of the National 
     Guard Association of the United States to urge you to create 
     a rule which would allow such a measure to be included in the 
     National Defense Authorization Bill.
       Just like the Minutemen at Concord and Lexington, today's 
     citizen-soldiers have left

[[Page H3887]]

     their homes, families, and careers to take up the fight. When 
     they are called to duty, they must arrive physically fit for 
     duty. Yet, many do not have access to basic health care. We 
     consider it a key readiness issue that soldiers and airmen 
     have access to health care so that they are ready for duty 
     when called. Other part time Federal employees have the 
     option of buying into a government sponsored health plan. We 
     believe our soldiers and airmen deserve no less.
       Congressman Gene Taylor plans to offer a revised amendment 
     to the Authorization Bill which would allow members of the 
     National Guard access to the military healthcare system, on a 
     cost-share basis. We strongly urge your committee to pass a 
     rule which would make consideration of this amendment 
     possible.
       Thank you very much for your kind consideration.
           Sincerely,

                                             Stephen M. Koper,

                                          Brig. Gen. (Ret.), USAF,
     President.
                                  ____

                                        National Guard Association


                                   of the United States, Inc.,

                                     Washington, DC, May 23, 2005.
     Hon. Gene Taylor,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Taylor: I am writing to thank you for 
     your efforts on behalf of the 450,000 members of the National 
     Guard who so desperately need the opportunity to access 
     health care for themselves and their families.
       As recently as May 17, 2005, the National Guard Association 
     of the United States testified before the Defense 
     Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee on this 
     critical issue. We said in part:
       ``This committee is well versed in the contributions being 
     made by members of the National Guard in operations in Iraq, 
     Afghanistan and the Global War on Terror. As the Secretary of 
     Defense has said repeatedly, ``The War on Terror could not be 
     fought without the National Guard''. Battles would not be 
     won, peace would not be kept and sorties would not be flown 
     without the citizen soldier and citizen airman. We are asking 
     on their behalf for the resources necessary to allow them to 
     continue to serve the nation.
       ``At the top of that list of resources is access to health 
     care. The National Guard Association believes every member of 
     the National Guard should have the ability to access TRlCARE 
     coverage, on a cost-share basis, regardless of duty status.
       ``While we are encouraged by the establishment of TRICARE 
     Reserve Select, which is a program where members ``earn'' 
     medical coverage through deployments, we don't believe it 
     goes far enough. Healthcare coverage for our members is a 
     readiness issue. If the Department of Defense expects Guard 
     members to maintain medical readiness, then it follows that 
     they should also have access to healthcare. As you know, when 
     a National Guardsman is called to full time duty, he or she 
     is expected to report ``ready for duty''. Yet, studies show 
     that a significant percentage of our members do not have 
     access to healthcare. Making TRICARE available to all members 
     of the National Guard, on a cost-share basis, would provide a 
     solution to this problem. And, it would finally end the 
     turbulence visited on soldiers and their families who are 
     forced to transition from one healthcare coverage to another 
     each time they answer the nation's call.
       ``In addition to addressing readiness concerns, access to 
     TRICARE would also be a strong recruitment and retention 
     incentive. In an increasingly challenging recruiting/
     retention environment, TRICARE could make a significant 
     difference. Part-time civilian federal employees are eligible 
     to participate in federal health insurance programs. NGAUS 
     believes that National Guard members should receive, at a 
     minimum, the opportunity afforded other federal part-time 
     employees.''
       We have worked diligently for the last five years to secure 
     legislation that would provide the healthcare access that you 
     propose. You have our unwavering support in this endeavor and 
     the thanks of Guard and Reserve members and their families 
     across the country. Please continue your effort on their 
     behalf.
           Sincerely,

                                             Stephen M. Koper,

                                    Brigadier General (Ret), USAF,
     President.

                          ____________________