Washington, D.C. – Third District Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) joined Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX) to introduce H.R. 579, the Military Retirees’ Health Care Protection Act, a bill to block the Administration’s ability to double and triple health care premiums for approximately three million enlisted and officer retirees under TRICARE, the military’s health insurance system.

“This legislation is about offering protection for the men and women who are willing to protect our nation from its enemies, and keeping promises to those who have promised to put themselves in harm’s way when called upon,” Congressman Jones said. “The families of our armed forces deserve consistent health care benefits.”

Congressman Edwards, with whom Jones coauthored the bill, said, “Our common bond is a deep and abiding respect for those who have committed their lives to military service. Our common goal is to ensure that those who serve our nation in uniform are treated fairly.”

H.R. 579 establishes the principle that it is the responsibility of Congress, not the Pentagon, to establish when and by how much military health fees will be increased. The bill would block the Pentagon from dramatically raising health care fees on military retirees by removing the Secretary of Defense’ current authority to make virtually unlimited increases in four specific areas:

• Enrollment fees for retired members and survivors in TRICARE Prime, the military-managed health plan

• Pharmacy copayments

• Enrollment fees for the new TRICARE Reserve Select program that was implemented last year to maintain health coverage continuity for Guard and Reserve families

• Retiree and survivor copayments for inpatient care

Representatives from the Military Officers Association of America and The Military Coalition (TMC) immediately announced their support for the legislation. TMC is a consortium of 35 military and veterans groups and represents the interests of more than six million members around the world, including active duty, National Guard, Reserve, and retired members and veterans of the seven uniformed services, plus their families and survivors.

For additional information please contact Kathleen Joyce in Congressman Walter B. Jones’ office at (202) 225-3415.