Panel recommends raising premiums for military health plan

A plan to reduce the national deficit was unveiled last week by the two leaders of President Obama’s blue-ribbon panel. Some of the recommendations from the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform include increasing the premiums and fees paid by former military personnel for a national health benefits program known as Tricare.

The reports says having to pay rising healthcare costs could prevent the Defense Department from investing in ”modernizing” its equipment. Tricare spending has grown from $17.5 billion in 2000 to over $47.4 billion in 2010. As a result, the report recommends raising Tricare’s premium closer to the average for most civilians. Currently, enrollees in Tricare spend about $100-$300 annually, while most citizens pay $600-$1,000.

That recommendation did not sit well with South Carolina congressman Joe Wilson, who is expected to chair a House subcommittee on military personnel next year. Wilson said former servicememers are happy with the current system.

It’s a system that works. When you have something that that works, my view is that you would not come in and change it. You would maybe enhance it, but certainly not come and change a benefit which has been pledged to our servicemembers and military families.

Wilson said the problem is not a lack of money, but how it is being spent. He says Congress needs to re-examine its priorities in all sectors, so it can continue the current Tricare system as is.

We have too much spending. I would want… to go back and figure out how to reduce spending. The question is really not how much money we have, but how the money is being spent.

While he opposes the premiums, Wilson said he would support the commissioner’s proposal to have companies reimburse Tricare for any former military employees who choose it over that company’s plan. Currently, the federal government covers all of the costs and does not require any employer contributions for Tricare.

Another proposal from the panel is to privatize many military jobs like maintenance and recreation. Wilson said he would probably support contracting out non-combat jobs.

However, Wilson criticized a recommendation that would cancel new F-35 fighters in the Marine Corps. Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort is on a shortlist to receive planes under that project. Wilson has long lobbied on behalf of the base.

The commission has not yet made its official recommendations to the Obama Administration. The final report requires support from 14 of the panel’s 18 members