[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 47 (Wednesday, April 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




U.S. FAMILY HEALTH PLAN MARKS 25 YEARS OF CARING FOR UNIFORMED SERVICES 
                                FAMILIES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHET EDWARDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2006

  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, on this, the 26th day of April 2006, the 
U.S. Family Health Plan celebrates its commitment and service to the 
nation's military health system with 25 years caring for our military 
families. Through the years, the U.S. Family Health Plan has been a 
valued partner with the U.S. Department of Defense by continuing to 
serve nearly 100,000 military beneficiaries today.
  U.S. Family Health Plan's roots date back to 1981 when the OmnibU.S. 
Reconciliation Act designated 10 public health hospitals as U.S. 
Treatment Facilities to provide care for the uniformed services through 
and agreement with DoD. In 1993, that designation evolved into a fully 
at-risk managed healthcare plan named U.S. Family Health Plan. The 
Plan's popularity grew in the regions where it was offered. In 1996, 
the National Defense Authorization Act designated the U.S. Treatment 
Facilities as TRICARE Prime Designated Providers and made the U.S. 
Family Plan Health a permanent part of the military health system.

       The U.S. Family Health Plan is a proud member of the 
     TRICARE program. It has distinguished itself by consistently 
     earning the highest beneficiary satisfaction ratings among 
     all TRICARE providers. The plan is administered by some of 
     this nation's finest health care institutions, including John 
     Hopkins (Maryland), Brighton Marine Health Center 
     (Massachusetts), Martin's Point Health Care (Maine), St. 
     Vincent Catholic Medical Centers (New York), CHRISTUS Health 
     (Texas), and Pacific Medical Centers (Washington State).

  Please join me in congratulating the U.S. Family Health Plan on their 
25 years of service to our nation's military families and for their 
outstanding contributions to military health care.

                          ____________________