2011-2012 AFSA LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM                                  

 

 

This platform of legislative targets will be used as a “blueprint” for testimony and lobbying efforts, in addition to responses dictated by day‑to‑day events.  Each area designates association-approved initiatives. 

 

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HEALTHCARE

• Oppose TRICARE fee increases
• Limit beneficiary costs for TRICARE network/mail order prescription drug
• Exempt those military retirees who entered service prior to December 7, 1956, from the obligation of Medicare Part B payments 
• Oppose the various recommendations for retirees aged 38-64 to seek healthcare coverage from somewhere else besides TRICARE
• Ensure adequate reimbursement for doctors who accept TRICARE and Medicare patients ("Doc Fix")

 

VETERANS BENEFITS

• Limit user fees and prescription co-pay increases at VA medical facilities 
• Require the VA to accept licensed civilian medical/dental provider prescriptions 
• Review the veterans’ disability evaluation, benefits claim, and appeals process for effectiveness and accuracy
• Provide Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) for service incurred disabilities 
• Pursue the VA to have chiropractic care where possible 
• Where permissible by Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), provide full overseas retiree exchange/commissary benefits including postal services
• Ensure sufficient capacity and full funding at national cemeteries 

 

CARING FOR SURVIVORS

• Pursue Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) widows to remarry after age 55 without losing their entitlement 
• Permit the full receipt of DIC and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) without an offset
• Permit the member to designate multiple SBP beneficiaries and SBP benefits must be proportionate to the allocation of retired pay 
• Allow survivors of retirees to draw the final full month’s retired pay for the month in which retirees die  

 

DEBT COMMISSION & MISCELLANEOUS

• Make adjustments to the Household Goods (HHG) weight allowances based upon number of family members
• Resist DoD/DECA/AAFES efforts to reduce the benefit, that negatively alter current pricing policies, or provide the benefit to non-military beneficiaries 
• Monitor/scrutinize housing privatization efforts to preclude adverse impact on all military members 
• Oppose the following Debt Commission recommendations to:
  1. Freeze federal salaries, bonuses and other comp for 3 years including military non-combat pay.
  2. Reduce spending on base support and facility maintenance
  3. Integrate military kids into local schools in the US
  4. Use highest 5 years for civil svc and military retirement pay
  5. Reform military retirement system to vest after 10 years and defer collection to age 60
  6. Full 20 + years of military retire pay starts age 57

 

NATIONAL GUARD AND AIR FORCE RESERVE

• Reduce the earliest Guard & Reserve retirement compensation age from 60 to 55 
• Provide employer and self-employed tax credits and enhance job security
• Enhance Selected Reserve Montgomery GI Bill (SR-MGIB) benefits 
• Award full veterans’ benefit status to Guard & Reserve members who complete 20 qualifying years of service, but do not otherwise qualify as veterans under title 38 

 

EDUCATION

• Ensure the Post 9-11 GI Bill remains current and relevant to our servicemembers
• Provide military members and their families’ in-state tuition rates at federally supported state universities and colleges–regardless of residency requirements 
• Ensure full funding of the Impact Aid Program
• Preserve Tuition Assistance Programs
• Pursue Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children

 

Repeal/Modify the Former Spouse Protection Act

 

Provide a full accounting of POW/MIAs from all past and future military actions, and promote international compliance in recovery efforts

Protect the American flag from purposeful acts of physical desecration

 

                                                    

 

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Current as of: 10/17/2011