Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) co-sponsored legislation that was introduced yesterday to block the Department of Defense (DoD) from dramatically raising health care fees on military retirees.  This legislation is in response to the DoD’s recent announcement of plans to increase enrollment fees and deductibles to TRICARE, and raise retail pharmacy co-payments for military retirees.  TRICARE is a health benefit program offered to all military personnel and their families.

“We need to honor the brave men and women who have served the United States by giving them affordable health care benefits.

“I will work with my colleagues to fight these changes and keep our commitment to military veterans.

The Military Retirees' Health Care Protection Act (H.R. 4949) will block increases to TRICARE military health care premiums, deductibles and co-payments.  The legislation will also require the Department of Defense to obtain congressional consent to all healthcare fee alterations going forward.

“The Department of Defense fee increases have the potential to drive more than 144,000 military retirees out of the TRICARE program - leaving them without the healthcare they were promised.

The president’s Fiscal Year 2007 budget increases TRICARE health care premiums for 3.1 million of the nation’s military retirees under 65.  Premiums will double for senior enlisted retirees and triple for officer retirees by 2009.   Drug co-payments will also increase – costing military retirees an additional $2.4 billion over the next five years.

Congressman Larsen represents Washington state’s 2nd Congressional district.  He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.