George Allen stands up for America's military veterans' TRICARE benefits

Last week, Bill Gertz wrote:

The Obama administration’s proposed defense budget calls for military families and retirees to pay sharply more for their healthcare, while leaving unionized civilian defense workers’ benefits untouched. The proposal is causing a major rift within the Pentagon, according to U.S. officials. Several congressional aides suggested the move is designed to increase the enrollment in Obamacare’s state-run insurance exchanges.

George Allen came to the defense of military troops who have have been there to protect American liberty and freedom, believing they and their families must receive the benefits they have earned by sacrificing for America and that America has guaranteed to them. He responded to the Obama administration's proposed increases of military members' TRICARE health care fees:

“America must keep her promises to our Veterans who have risked their lives in honorable service to our country, not place its budgetary burden on the backs of active and retired Veterans. Washington’s budget mess was caused by the inability to set priorities and we should not try to correct Washington’s mistakes at the expense of the hard earned benefits promised to our service members. These benefits were paid for by the conditions of their military service and it is wrong that some in Washington are suggesting we breach that contract to military retirees and their families.

“National defense is the preeminent responsibility of the federal government and we need to make that a top budget priority. Steep increases in TRICARE premiums and fees would have a devastating impact on our Veterans and their families, as well as a negative impact on military recruitment and retention. As a U.S. Senator, I will fight to make sure that America keeps our promises to our nation’s Veterans and their families.”

Thank you, George Allen, for your continued defense of our military just as you promised in your Compact With Veterans.

The proposed TRICARE increases do not seem to be the way to treat our military who sacrifice enough already. Bill Gertz wrote:

Significantly, the plan calls for increases between 30 percent to 78 percent in Tricare annual premiums for the first year. After that, the plan will impose five-year increases ranging from 94 percent to 345 percent—more than 3 times current levels.

According to congressional assessments, a retired Army colonel with a family currently paying $460 a year for health care will pay $2,048.

Ouch.

This could be a significant game changer for the military in recruitment and retaining of military personnel, and that's not good for America.