2000 Legislative Achievements

The following is a summary of the major legislative initiatives that were supported by The Military Coalition (TMC) and enacted during the second session of the 106th Congress. Collectively, they represent significant enhancements in the quality of life for servicemembers and their families and should have a positive effect on the Services' recruiting, retention and readiness programs. Thanks in part to TMC's efforts and extraordinary grassroots support from TMC's members, Congress:

HEALTH CARE:

  • Authorized TRICARE For Life (TFL) for Medicare-eligible uniformed services beneficiaries ( regular and Reserve retirees, their family members and survivors), effective. October 1, 2001.
  • Authorized DoD Retail and mail-order Rx coverage for all Medicare-eligibles, effective. April 1, 2001, with NO enrollment fee or deductible.
  • Authorized DOD Military Medicare-eligible Retiree Health Care Trust Fund (makes Tricare For Life a mandatory, must-pay entitlement program), effective. October 1, 2002.
  • Reduced TRICARE Standard retiree catastrophic cap from $7,500 to $3,000 per year (applicable to all retirees regardless if under 65 or if Medicare-eligible and participating in TFL).
  • Eliminated TRICARE Prime copays for active duty family members
  • Expanded TRICARE Prime Remote, with PRIME-level benefits for active duty families assigned where Prime is not available
  • Authorized long-term care coverage for active/Reserve/retired military/federal civilians (estimated implementation date Oct. 1, 2002).

RETIREMENT AND SURVIVOR PROGRAMS:

  • Expanded special compensation for severely disabled retirees to include Chapter 61 (military disability) retirees
  • Provided full-inflation COLAs for all retirees/annuitants
  • Increased maximum annual Reserve retirement points from 75 to 90
  • Required universal state acceptance of military-prepared wills
  • Required automatic immediate Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan coverage for Reserves attaining 20 years of service, unless declined by member and spouse
  • Provided improvements in educational benefits for widows and children of service-connected deceased veterans to include a 21% increase in the educational stipend and, for the first time, COLA adjustments.
  • Extended Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) to survivors of National guard and Reserve members who suffer a stroke or heart attack during inactive duty training.
ACTIVE AND RESERVE FORCES:
  • Provided 3.7% Jan. 1, 2000, pay raise, plus targeted July 1, 2000, raises for E-5, E-6, E-7
  • Authorized active/Reserve Thrift Savings Plan enrollment (NLT October 1, 2001)
  • Reduced median out-of-pocket housing expense to 14.5% in 2001, and to zero by 2005
  • Increased SGLI coverage to $250,000
  • Provided 21% increase in Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) benefits
  • Repealed 1% cap on annual subsistence allowance increases, effective January 1, 2002
  • Improved funeral honors duty benefits for Guard / Reserve: authorized choice of drill pay or $50; approved incapacitation pay for injury/illness sustained on such duty; and clarified reemployment rights.
  • Authorized Post-Vietnam-Era Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) conversion to MGIB
  • Approved disability compensation for Guard / Reserve who suffer heart attack/stroke during inactive duty training (IDT)
  • Authorized children of National Guard and Reserve members to seek Presidential appointment to a service academy
OTHER GAINS:
  • Restored requirement for VA to assist veterans in preparing claims' applications for benefits
  • Repealed Social Security earnings test for beneficiaries age 65 to 69