As the keynote speaker at the Florida Council Annual Convention in Cocoa Beach last month, MOAA President, VADM Norb Ryan, gave one of his always rousing and very informative speeches most of which was on MOAA's legislative agenda.  He covered so many topics and issues that rather than discussing only what I think is most important—and probably missing some major issues—my article this month will be a list of what he said in the legislative part of his speech. 

   ● Even though the economy is in the dumps and Congress says that it wants to tighten its belt, this is an election year and no Rep or Senator wants to deny military personnel fighting a war or veterans their earned entitlements so we will probably do OK with our high priority bills this year.   

      ● In support of this point, Congress will most likely pass a 3.9% military pay raise even though DoD asked for only a 3% raise.  (In 2007 DoD asked for 3% and Congress passed a 3.5% raise.)

      ● Congress wants to find a way to provide financial assistance for the living expenses of parents and families of wounded personnel while the soldiers are in the hospital.  (Sort of an institutionalized Operation Helping Hand  on a more comprehensive scale)

      ● Congress is expected to pass a bill that eliminates the planned July 1st 10% Medicare physicians' fees increase and even increase the fees a bit.  Sad to say though, there will be no long term fix so we can expect to go through this drill again in two years. 

      ● There is no support in Congress whatsoever for the DoD proposed increase in TRICARE and TRICARE for Life fees. It was DOA (dead on arrival) when it hit Congress.  To avoid fighting this battle every year, MOAA is trying to get Congress to pass a bill that states that these important benefits must not be supported on the backs of military personnel but rather it must recognized that we have already paid-in-kind by our many years of sacrifice and service to our country.

       ● DoD should stop telling service chiefs that they must choose between personnel and weapon systems.  One without the other is worthless and Congress has stated many times that it will fund what the services ask for and that is supported.  VADM Ryan emphasized this point by saying that “Military personnel are the only weapon system that has never failed." 

   During his presentation he mentioned a very interesting and disturbing fact.  He said that 1% of the US population was fighting a war for the other 99%.  In WW II 10% of the nation was in uniform and most of the rest of the adult population of the nation was involved in some sort of defense work. 

Col. Ron Buchert, USAF, (Ret.)

Legislative Liaison/Member, MOAA Board of Directors (2000-2006)