Naval Reserve Association Naval Reserve Association

Legislative Update on the FY-08National Defense Authorization ActLegislativeUpdateAt this writing, the Senate,in July 07, suspendedconsideration of theFY-08 National DefenseAuthorization Act (NDAA),(H. R. 1585) after severalamendments regarding Iraq failed to pass.Several key NRA legislative goals are atrisk of passing, and they deserve yourattention.NRA has aggressively supported severalprovisions to include: halting TRICAREfee or co-pay increases; supporting theadditional 0.5 percent pay increase abovethe Administration’s request for militarypersonnel; reducing the retirement age formobilized Reservists; and, expandingCombat-Related Special Compensation(CRSC) to include medical retirees withless than 20 years of service who aredisabled due to combat or related training.Key amendments scheduled for debateinclude the following NRA–supportedinitiatives that address key issues in theNRA’s 2007 legislative goals:> Sen. Saxby Chambliss (GA)amendment will expand an alreadyapproved provision to reduce theReserve retirement age (currently age60) by three months for each 90 daysof mobilization retroactive to 11 Sep.2001;> Sen. Blanche Lincoln (AR) twoeducation amendments: One wouldprovide ten-year portability forbenefits for mobilized Reservists, andthe second would integrate the MGIBprograms (both Active and Reserve)into the VA;> An amendment, the “The DignifiedTreatment of Wounded Warriors Act”(S.1606), offered by Senator CarlLevin (MI) that would simplify thedisability rating system and providemore funding for traumatic brainInjury (TBI) and post traumatic stressdisorder (PTSD);> Changing the SBP paid-up date from1 Oct. 2008 to 1 Oct. 2007, sponsoredSen. Bill Nelson (FL);> An amendment by Sen. FrankLautenberg (NJ) to limit futureTRICARE fee increases to no morethan the amount of the ConsumerPrice Index (CPI) which is the basisfor annual retired pay adjustments;> Senators Carl Levin (MI) and JohnMcCain (AZ) amendment will create aDoD/VA interagency to establish ajoint disability rating system, a jointelectronic health record, and additionalfunding for post traumatic stressdisorder (PTSD) and traumatic brainInjury (TBI).At this writing, the Senate passedindividual legislation that would coverthe military 3.5 per cent, and a militaryhealth care bill to address PTSD andTBI. It appears that the Senate may passmore individual provisions as stand-alonelegislation.All of these provisions need yoursupport. We are asking that you pay closeattention to what the Senate, hopefully,will pass in the NDAA in September orOctober, and what Congress decides inconference on the following provisions:- On the Reserve Retirement provision,introduced and amended by SenatorChambliss (GA);- The two education amendments bySenator Lincoln (AR);- On military health care TRICAREfees, for which DoD attempted tomake excessive increases last year.In Veteran Affairs issues, recently, theVeterans Disability Benefits Commission(VDBC) voted to recommend expandingconcurrent receipt to include retirees witha service-connected disability of 50-90percent to include those with rating of10-40 percent and eliminate the ten-yearphase-in period. NRA supports the goal ofconcurrent receipt of full military retiredpay and veterans’ disability compensationfor all disabled retirees.In addition, the Commission recommendedeliminating the DIC offset for SBP. These areBy CAPT Ike Puzon, USNR (Ret)Director of Legislationrecommendations by the Commission.It will take all of us working togetherto enact these into law. You can expressyour ideas to the Commission atveterans@vetscommission.com.At the VDBC meeting, the DoD and VAannounced a joint disability rating systemthat would give seriously injured troopsone physical exam and one review boardwhile still on active duty to shorten thecurrent process some troops must endurewith both the military and VA. The pilotmedical evaluation program will begin inAugust in the Washington area. Thechanges are in response to widespreadcriticism of the DoD following the scandalseveral months ago at Walter Reed ArmyMedical Center.Seek support from your Congressionaldelegation on these issues. September2007 will be a critical time. We ask thatyou contact your Congressional delegation:www.house.gov, www.senate.gov.NRA NEWS/SEPTEMBER 2007 9