H.R. 1540 passed the House via voice vote on the 26th of May. On Jun 6, 2011 it was received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. That is where it remains.
I am hoping that this bill doesnt just die there. that is the norm of late. There was also a piece of legislation in there that would allow for fairness in disability pay so that the individuals who are 50% disabled have there disability pay not taken from their retired pay and allow those with less than 50% disablity the equal fairness of receiving their full retirement check plus disability pay. I am told this will never pass as it has been in committee since the 107th session of congress.
H.R. 1540 will not die in the senate, it is the bill that funds the military. However, the changes made to link Tricare increases to COLA increases could be changed. The change might not be to the benefit of Tricare recipients. Let your opinions be heard! Contact your Senators.
it looks like any future pay raise will go directly to pay for the increase in TRICARE. that sucks. see the link.
http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2011/06/senate-okays-pay-and-tricare-fee-increase/
Hal, What the Senate mark-up does is link any increase in Tricare fees to the COLA rate increase. So if we get a 3.0% increase in pay, the Tricare Fee will increase 3.0%
Calculating that out on a $24,000 annual retainer, the pay increase amounts to $720 annually or $60 a month. The Tricare individual rate increase approved is $2.50 per month or an increase from $230 to $260 for FY2012. In the hypothetical above a 3.0% linked increase would Move the annual individual rate from $260 to $267.80... a $7.80 per year increase.
Status: Bill passed both chambers. Next: The bill may now proceed to a conference committee of senators and representatives to work out differences in the versions of the bill each chamber approved. [Last Updated: Dec 6, 2011 6:11AM]
