ACTIVE AND RESERVE FORCES:

• Provided average of 11.7% two-year pay raise for active duty, Guard, and Reserve members (4% above private sector).
  
• Raised 2002 and 2003 housing allowances by a combined average of 15%.
  
• Authorized REDUX-eligible members (who entered service after 1986) to receive 15-year career status bonus in annual installments to allow deposit of the full bonus in the tax-free Thrift Savings Plan.
  
• Improved permanent-change-of-station Temporary Lodging Expense allowance to $180/day (from $110); upgraded household goods weight allowances for junior enlisteds; and increased military PCS per diem rates 40% to equal those for federal civilians.
  
• Extended disability retirement coverage to qualifying Guard-Reserve members injured while remaining overnight at any training location.
  
• Guaranteed absentee voting rights in any Federal, state or local election for members and family members absent from a state on military orders.
  
• Expanded protections for National Guard servicemembers activated under state orders in support of a federally-declared national emergency.
• Extended the Reserve Montgomery GI Bill usage period to 14 years after completion of initial training (vs. 10 years in previous law).
  
• Opened Commissary access to Guard personnel called to state duty in support of a federal emergency.
  
• Obtained TRICARE Prime access for G-R members activated for over 30 days (if not living near military medical facility).
  
• Removed Secretary of Defense authority to reduce end strength, while increasing authority to exceed end strength (aimed at providing relief for overstressed forces)
  
• Reduced the number of years of continuous reserve component service needed immediately before qualifying for Reserve retirement from 8 to 6 years.
  
• Won congressional requirement for a DoD study of needed personnel, compensation and retirement changes to better reflect operational demands on Guard and Reserve forces.
  

• Expanded special compensation ($50-$300 monthly) for certain severely disabled retirees with at least 20 years of active duty and awarded 60% or higher disability ratings within 4 years of leaving service; authorized modest compensation increases in 2003/4.
  
• Authorized a new “special compensation” that is tantamount to concurrent receipt of retired pay and veterans' disability compensation for certain retirees with combat- or operations-related disabilities.
  
• Provided full-inflation COLAs for all retirees/annuitants.
  
• Extended Survivor Benefit Plan coverage to survivors of servicemembers who die on active duty prior to reaching retirement eligibility.
  
• Expanded Servicemembers Group Life Insurance coverage to include active duty dependents.
  
• Restored "CHAMPVA for Life" benefits for eligible survivors of veterans who died of service-connected causes (they previously lost CHAMPVA health coverage at age 65).
  
• Raised educational benefits for survivors and dependents of veterans who died of service-connected causes.
  
• Defeated proposal to deny lump sum retroactive benefits to “Forgotten SBP widows”
  
• Authorized payment options for retirees participating in military funeral details
  

• Prohibited DoD from forcing military retirees to choose between DoD (TRICARE) and VA health care.
  
• Ensured retiree health care trust fund covers all retired Medicare-eligibles, regardless of age, in private sector or military facilities.
  
• Authorized federal agencies to pay National Guard – Reserve employees' federal health insurance (FEHBP) premiums (when activated 30 or more days).
  
• Authorized medically necessary care for custodial care patients (to maintain physical health).
  
• Authorized added benefits for disabled active duty dependents with severe physical or psychological conditions.
  
• Clarified travel eligibility for parent or guardian traveling with beneficiary unable to travel alone, for medical care beyond 100 miles.
  
• Won permanent authority for extended health care benefits for certain active duty members and reservists separated after more than 30 days in support of a contingency.
  
• Eliminated preauthorization requirement for inpatient mental health care for TFL beneficiaries.
  
• Authorized TRICARE Prime Remote eligibility for families of Guard/Reserve members activated for more than 30 days, if residing in Prime Remote area.
  
• Extended Prime Remote to active duty family members when not permitted to accompany the member to the next permanent duty station and remain at the former duty site.
  
• Authorized surviving dependents to enroll in the TRICARE Dental Program if enrolled on date of death or disenrolled because the member had transferred to a duty station where dental care was provided (OCONUS).
• Eliminated requirement for Medicare provider to be credentialed separately by TRICARE, effective with new TRICARE contracts.
  
• Won Comptroller General evaluation of how to fix claims processing and evaluate problems impeding doctors' participation in TRICARE.
  
• Extended transitional health care benefits to family members when a member is separated, whether or not the member enrolls in transition health coverage.
  

• Increased education benefits under the MGIB for full-time study by 46% over three years (2001 - 2004).
• Added 15 acres to Arlington National Cemetery to increase in-ground burial capacity.
• Increased Medal of Honor stipend to $1000/month and authorized retroactive payment to the date of the valorous act