TREA Washington Update for March 7, 2008

Well the fight for the Democratic nominee continues but the Republican nominee is settled. This is the focus in Washington this week. However, everyone is also looking at the economy, the housing market, unemployment, ethics on the Hill and taxes. We are also looking at a bomb in Times Square and violence in the Middle East. The happy event was President Bush and Secretary Gates honoring Mr. Frank Buckles the last known surviving veteran of World War I. So it was another very busy week.

From the Washington Office:

1) Work on FY2009 Budget Picks Up

2) Cancer Clinical Trials Made Permanent Part of TRICARE Benefit

3) DoD Autism Demonstration Program Starts March 15th

4) Search For Artist To Create 2008 Veterans Day Poster Continues

From TREA HQ:

5) Troop Support Rally at Times Square

6) Spring Ahead on Sunday

*************************************************

Donate to TREA

TREA My Power Mall

**************************************************

Click here for a Printable Version of this Update

***************************************************

1) Work on FY2009 Budget Picks Up-The work has begun on this year’s budget, including the budgets for DoD and the VA. The Chairmen, Representative Ike Skelton (D-Missouri) and Senator Levin (D-Michigan) and Ranking Members: Representative Duncan Hunter (R-California) and Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) of both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, sent their views and estimates of what was needed for DoD to the Chairmen of the Budget Committees. Fortunately, they all came out in opposition to the proposed TRICARE increases in enrollment fees and co-pays for Prime, Standard and the Pharmacy benefit. This is very early in the process, but it is a very good first step.

The House Armed Services Committee’s leadership also suggested that the President’s budgetary request for a 3.4% pay increase was not large enough and more was needed to eliminate the remaining gap between military pay and civilian pay. On February 25, 2008 Representative Gus Bilirakis introduced stand alone bill HR5481. This bill would make the pay raise 3.9%.

2) Cancer Clinical trials Made Permanent Part of TRICARE Benefit-On April 1, 2008, participation in National Cancer Institute clinical trials will become a permanent TRICARE health care benefit (it has previously been a demonstration project). It covers all Phase II and Phase III trials. To find out about available trials you can call 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6239) or go online to http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials. You can also find out more about the program at www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/overview/SpecialPrograms/CancerClinicalTrials. The TRICARE Contractors for authorization are PGBA in the TRICARE North and South Regions and TriWest in the West Region. In the TRICARE North region call 1-800-395-7821; in the South call 1-800-779-3060 and in the West Region call 1-866-427-6610.  

3) DoD Autism Demonstration Program Starts March 15^-Next week the DoD Autism Demonstration program will start; providing additional options for Active Duty families with an autistic child. The program provides payments for a new class of providers called tutors and will be available throughout the country. This program intends to increase the treatments presently available under the ECHO program.

4) Search For Artist To Create 2008 Veterans Day Poster Continues-Attention All TREA Artist!!-Here is an unusual opportunity. The Veterans Day National Committee is calling for artists to submit designs for the 2008 Veterans Day poster. The poster will be distributed to over 110,000 schools throughout the U.S. as well as to all military installations and to federal agencies in Washington DC. It is also used as the cover of the official program for the Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. If you are interested in submitting a proposal please note that the submission deadline is May 1. The technical requirements are as follows:

The final poster must be 18x24” at 300 dots per inch, but please scale down submissions to 9x12” and submit electronic versions as jpg images or PDF files via e-mail to: vetsday@va.gov. Alternatively, send copies of artwork or a CD with artwork files to: Department of Veterans Affairs (002C), 810 Vermont Ave., NW, Washington, D.C., 20420. Please do not send originals. The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2008. To view Veterans Day posters from previous years, please visit http://www.va.gov/vetsday and click on “Poster Gallery”. Submissions should include sufficient information to demonstrate that the image is the work of the artist and is not copyrighted material (i.e. photos and concepts). The committee may select a particular submission but ask the artist to make modifications to the original design. Additional changes may be required prior to printing.

5) Troop Support Rally in Time Square-The “Gathering of Eagles” has obtained a permit to stage a Troop Support Rally at the Times Square Recruiting Station in New York City (West 44th Street and Broadway). The Rally is scheduled for tomorrow, March 8, 1-4 pm (rain or shine). If you are in the New York area, bring flags, signs, and voices to show your support.

6) Spring Ahead on Sunday-If you are in a state that recognizes “Daylight Saving Time”, don’t forget to “Spring Ahead” one hour on Sunday morning.

*******************************************

SHOP FOR CHARITY DAY HAS CHANGED TO MY POWER MALL.  MAKE A DONATION TO TREA, JUST BY SHOPPING!  CLICK BELOW:

**********************************************************

AS YOU ARE PLANNING YOUR 2008 CHARITABLE DONATIONS, PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION TO THE RETIRED ENLISTED ASSN. MAKE YOUR DONATION ONLINE AT: www.trea.org/DonationPage.html

OR MAIL YOUR DONATION TO: TREA HQ, 1111 S ABILENE CT., AURORA, CO 80012

YOU MAY EARMARK YOUR DONATION TO SUPPORT WHATEVER YOU WOULD LIKE. (GENERAL FUND, THE VOICE/WEB, MEMORIAL FOUNDATION, SCHOLARSHIP, OR JUST MARK "WHERE IT IS NEEDED MOST")!  DONATIONS TO TREA ARE DEDUCTIBLE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!!!

If you need to change the email address that receives the Legislative Update, go to: http:/www.capwiz.com/trea/mlm/signup/

At the bottom of the page, enter the email address that currently receives the update, verify who you are, and change your email address.  If you have any problems email editor@trea.org

Continue to send emails to your Senators and Representatives about the bills that are of interest to you.  Remember we have prepared emails available for you.

If you do not receive the Legislative Update delivered to your email box, click the above link, and sign up!

Don’t forget to "Tell A Friend” about our Legislative Updates and Shopping for Charity E-Mall.