[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 48 (Thursday, April 27, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E634-E635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO U.S. FAMILY HEALTH PLAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 27, 2006

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, on this, day 25 years ago the U.S. Family 
Health Plan was approved by the U.S. Congress. For the past 25 years 
the U.S. Family Health Plan has provided a commitment and service to 
the Nation's military health system by 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.
  The U.S. Family Health Plan is a proud member ofthe 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 Johns 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.
  U.S. Family Health Plan's roots date back to 1981 when the Omnibus 
Reconciliation Act designated 10 public health hospitals as U.S. 
Treatment Facilities to provide care for the uniformed services through 
an 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 Health Plan a permanent part of the military health system.
  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

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their outstanding contributions to military health care.

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