Military Health Care Affordability Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) so long as the United States sends men and women into battle, the United States will be faithful to care for them upon their return; (2) as the veteran answered the call of duty, so too, is the United States duty-bound to answer the call of the veteran; and (3) the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have the tools and ingenuity to provide continued excellent health care without increasing TRICARE payments from the veteran before fiscal year 2014.
Extends through FY2015 (under current law, through FY2011) the prohibition on increases in certain health care costs and restrictions on health benefit adjustments for members of the Armed Forces, retirees, and their dependents, including charges and premiums under TRICARE (a DOD managed care program) and cost-sharing requirements under the DOD pharmacy benefits program.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 42 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 42
To amend title 10, United States Code, to prohibit certain increases in
fees for military health care before fiscal year 2016.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 3, 2013
Mrs. Bachmann introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Armed Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 10, United States Code, to prohibit certain increases in
fees for military health care before fiscal year 2016.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Military Health Care Affordability
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND SENSE OF CONGRESS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) America's warriors offer a life of supreme devotion in
service to their Nation, and through generations of war-
fighting, their dedication has proven honorable, their
sacrifice immeasurable, and their record of excellence
undeniable.
(2) No American goes to war alone--the burden of every
Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and Marine is shared, in part, by all
of his or her loved ones.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) so long as the United States sends men and women into
battle, the United States will be faithful to care for them
upon their return;
(2) as the veteran answered the call of duty, so too, is
the United States duty-bound to answer the call of the veteran;
(3) the Department of Defense and the Department of
Veterans Affairs have the tools and ingenuity to provide
continued excellent health care without increasing TRICARE
payments from the veteran before fiscal year 2014; and
(4) in the words of President Abraham Lincoln, ``let us
strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's
wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for
his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and
cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all
nations.''.
SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON INCREASES OF CERTAIN HEALTH COSTS AND
RESTRICTIONS ON HEALTH BENEFIT ADJUSTMENTS FOR MEMBERS
AND RETIREES OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES AND THEIR
DEPENDENTS.
(a) Prohibition on Increase in Charges Under Contracts for Medical
Care.--Section 1097(e) of title 10, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``September 30, 2011''
and inserting ``September 30, 2015''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``October 1, 2012'' and
inserting ``October 1, 2015''.
(b) Prohibition on Increase in Amount of Cost Sharing Requirement
Under Pharmacy Benefits Program.--Section 1074g(a)(6)(C)(i) of title
10, United States Code, is amended by striking ``Beginning October 1,
2013,'' and inserting the following: ``The amount of any increase in a
cost-sharing amount specified in subparagraph (A) in a year may not be
increased during the period beginning on October 1, 2012, and ending on
September 30, 2015. Beginning October 1, 2015,''.
(c) Prohibition on Increase in Charges for Inpatient Care.--Section
1086(b)(3) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking
``September 30, 2011'' and inserting ``September 30, 2015''.
(d) Prohibition on Increase in Premiums Under TRICARE Coverage for
Certain Members in the Selected Reserve.--Section 1076d(d)(3) of title
10, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``The monthly'' and
inserting ``Except as provided by subparagraph (C), the
monthly''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(C) During the period beginning on October 1, 2013, and ending on
September 30, 2015, the monthly amount of the premium for TRICARE
Standard coverage under this section may not be increased to be more
than the amount in effect for the month of September 2013.''.
(e) Prohibition on Increase in Premiums Under TRICARE Coverage for
Certain Members of the Retired Reserve.--Section 1076e(d) of title 10,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(6) During the period beginning on October 1, 2013, and ending on
September 30, 2015, the monthly amount of the premium for TRICARE
Standard coverage under this section may not be increased to be more
than the amount in effect for the month of September 2013.''.
(f) Prohibition on Increase in Premiums Under TRICARE Coverage for
Certain Dependents.--Section 1110b(c) of title 10, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(5) During the period beginning on October 1, 2013, and ending on
September 30, 2015, the monthly amount of the premium for coverage
under the TRICARE program provided pursuant to this section may not be
increased to be more than the amount in effect for the month of
September 2013.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
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