HEALTH CARE ISSUES
Won ban on TRICARE fee increases for FY2007
Defeated 5.1% Cut in 2007 Medicare and TRICARE payments to doctors
Established single-fee access to TRICARE for all drilling Guard-Reserve
Barred pharmacy copay increases for FY2007
Won waiver of $1,740 limit on Medicare payments for therapy services
Defeated enrollment fee requirement for TRICARE Standard
Mandated use of Medicare filing procedures for TRICARE claims
Prescribed access standards for injured and wounded servicemembers
Required Task Force to study sustainment of TRICARE benefits for long term
Pilot projects directed on early diagnosis / treatment of PTSD
ACTIVE/RESERVE FORCE ISSUES
2.7% 2007 pay raise (including targeted raises for certain grades)
Increase of 30K in Army and 5K USMC force levels over 2007 budget request
Won major restrictions on predatory “payday lenders”
Won $400K free SGLI coverage for members deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq
Won increased voluntary separation incentives to help avoid drawdown RIFs
Provided retirement credit for certain state duty performed by Guard after 9/11
Required more consistent Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) rules / explanations
Authorized housing allowance fix for mobilized reserves or retirees
RETIREMENT/SURVIVOR ISSUES
3.3% retired pay/SBP COLA for 2007
Minimum SBP annuity raised to 45% of covered retired pay (as of 1 Apr 06)
Expanded SBP coverage options for active duty deaths since 7 Oct 01
Won Permanent ID cards for retirees' totally disabled dependents
Upgraded escort / honors for combat deaths
Mandated review of removing SSAN from military ID cards
Authorized one year housing allowance for active duty death survivors
MILITARY FAMILY/ VETERANS/ OTHER ISSUES
Provided $50M in aid to school districts serving military children
Required full replacement value for damaged household goods on PCS moves
Joint Family Support Assistance Program to augment family center services.
Required DoD-VA study of traumatic brain injury, incl. family member impact
