Legislative
2011-2012 AFSA LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
This platform of legislative targets will be used as a “blueprint” for testimony and lobbying efforts, in addition to responses dictated by day‑to‑day events. Each area designates association-approved initiatives.
HEALTHCARE
- Oppose TRICARE fee increases
- Limit beneficiary costs for TRICARE network/mail order prescription drug
- Exempt thosemilitary retirees who entered service prior to December 7, 1956, from the obligation of Medicare Part B payments
- Oppose the various recommendations for retirees aged 38-64 to seek healthcare coverage from somewhere else besides TRICARE
- Ensure adequate reimbursement for doctors who accept TRICARE and Medicare patients (“Doc Fix”)
VETERANS BENEFITS
- Limit user fees and prescription co-pay increases at VA medical facilities
- Require the VA to accept licensed civilian medical/dental provider prescriptions
- Review the veterans’ disability evaluation, benefits claim, and appeals process for effectiveness and accuracy
- Provide Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) for service incurred disabilities
- Pursue the VA to have chiropractic care where possible
- Where permissible by Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), provide full overseas retiree exchange/commissary benefits including postal services
- Ensure sufficient capacity and full funding at national cemeteries
CARING FOR SURVIVORS
- Pursue Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) widows to remarry after age 55 without losing their entitlement
- Permit the full receipt of DIC and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) without an offset
- Permit the member to designate multiple SBP beneficiaries and SBP benefits must be proportionate to the allocation of retired pay
- Allow survivors of retirees to draw the final full month’s retired pay for the month in which retirees die
DEBT COMMISSION & MISCELLANEOUS
- Make adjustments to the Household Goods (HHG) weight allowances based upon number of family members
- Resist DoD/DECA/AAFES efforts to reduce the benefit, that negatively alter current pricing policies, or provide the benefit to non-military beneficiaries
- Monitor/scrutinize housing privatization efforts to preclude adverse impact on all military members
- Oppose the following Debt Commission recommendations to:
- Freeze federal salaries, bonuses and other comp for 3 years including military non-combat pay.
- Reduce spending on base support and facility maintenance
- Integrate military kids into local schools in theUS
- Use highest 5 years for civil svc and military retirement pay
- Reform military retirement system to vest after 10 years and defer collection to age 60
- Full 20 + years of military retire pay starts age 57
NATIONAL GUARD AND AIR FORCE RESERVE
- Reduce the earliest Guard & Reserve retirement compensation age from 60 to 55
- Provide employer and self-employed tax credits and enhance job security
- Enhance Selected Reserve Montgomery GI Bill (SR-MGIB) benefits
- Award full veterans’ benefit status to Guard & Reserve members who complete 20 qualifying years of service, but do not otherwise qualify as veterans under title 38
EDUCATION
- Ensure the Post 9-11 GI Bill remains current and relevant to our servicemembers
- Providemilitary members and their families’ in-state tuition rates at federally supported state universities and colleges–regardless of residency requirements
- Ensure full funding of the Impact Aid Program
- Preserve Tuition Assistance Programs
- Pursue Interstate Compact on EducationalOpportunityfor Military Children
Repeal/Modify the Former Spouse Protection Act
Provide a full accounting of POW/MIAs from all past and future military actions, and promote international compliance in recovery efforts
Protect the American flag from purposeful acts of physical desecration