South Central Florida ChapterHeartlander

August 2017South Central Florida Chapter

of MOAAP.O. Box 7841

Sebring, FL 33872Chapter Officers:President: Mike Borders, tel. (h) 863-402-8292; (c) 703-795-8776Vice President: Craig Smith, tel. 207-703-3402Treasurer, George Cajigal, tel. 571-384-0845Secretary: Malcolm Johnson, tel. 863-242-9215Recruiting/Retention: Ed Gadbois, tel. 808-280-7773Legislative Affairs: Tom Nunnallee, tel. 863-446-0055Personal Affairs: Linda Tuthill, tel. 863-273-0766Newsletter: Bob Brooks, tel. 863-471-6318Past President: Roy Whitton

Our Web Site: www.scfcmoaa.orgFlorida Council of Chapters website: www.moaafl.org

Our next dinner/social with spouses/better halves/significant others: Date is 14 September 2017, 6:30 PM., at Beef O’Brady’s, 2940 US 27 in central Sebring.

August Meeting: 2 Aug 2017. Board Meeting: 1730 (5:30 PM) Business Meeting, 1900hrs (7:00 PM). Venue: Note: The Meeting will be at the Sea Services Museum, 1402 Roseland Ave., Sebring, FL 33870, (corner of Kenilworth and Roseland, about a mile east of Sebring High School). Our guest speaker this month is a Pearl Harbor veteran, so don't miss it.  To that end, I did invite some outside guests who are board members at the Sea Services Museum.  Also the President of the Highlands County Veterans Council.  I will also send out a reminder note to chapter members and indicate that wives are invited to this meeting--a couple expressed interest at the last dinner.

President’s Message (Cont):Cindy Garren of South Florida State College at our last dinner at the Watering Hole. I am pretty sure that most of us had no idea of how many programs they have out there. Next month, at our 2 August meeting for members at the Sea Services Museum, we will have Jack Moore. Jack was at Pearl Harbor on that fateful morning a little over 75 years ago. It promises to be informative and entertaining.. There aren’t very many of these guys left, so be sure toattend and get a first-hand account of what happened on that day that still ‘lives in infamy.’ I will note that some of the wives asked if they could attend to hear this presentation. While the even-month meetings are usually just for members, wives and significant others are WELCOME to attend. We will see you on 2 August, 1900 hours, at the museum. Be there or be square!Cheers,Mike

President’s Message: As we move into the hot days of August, you will see a few items in the newsletter that may make you even hotter than when your air conditioner fails as mine did on 17 July. In short, our elected and appointed leaders are planning to break faith with those of us who served (or serve) yet again. Please pay special attention to the first two “Did You Know” items. They are a bit lengthy, but indicate serious issues as regards TRICARE and pharmacy benefits. There is a bit of good news in there: the House of Representatives wouldn’t stick it to us while the Senate and Pentagon budget proposals would. Pay attention and TAKE ACTION! You can do this by going to either our chapter webpage: www.scfcmoaa.org and click on the button on the left side of the home page, or go to www.moaa.org and click on the “TAKE ACTION” link in the middle of their home page.In other news, we had a great presentation by (Cont.)

All SCFC  members who served  between November 1, 1955 and May 15, 1975, regardless of location are eligible to receive a Vietnam Service Pin at the November 10th Veterans ceremony. The ceremony is to be held on the lawn in front of the Highlands County Courthouse immediately after the Veterans Day parade.  (parade starts at 1100).Also a Certificate of Honor Program will honor those with a Certificate and lapel pin recognizing the following individuals: (special documentation may be required when requesting this award category.)1.     “Former POW” certificate and lapel pin for former, living American POWs.2.     “Unaccounted for” certificate and lapel pin for the immediate family of a Veteran missing or unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.3.     “In memory Of” certificate and lapel pin for the immediate family members of a Veteran who is listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.4.     “Deceased Vietnam Veteran’s Surviving Spouse” certificate and lapel pin for the surviving spouse at the time of death for a veteran who served from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location. If you wish to receive a pin at the ceremony all you need to do is submit your name (rank and uniformed service optional) to the chapter by replying to this email: mailto:craigsmith03905@gmail.com  and mailto:mbor57@aol.com  or by mail to:SCFC of the Military Officers Association of AmericaPO Box 7841Sebring, Fl. 33872Please reply by 1 September 2017

Did You Know 2? TRICARE Fee Increases are still in the offing.Remember this one? If you do 20, you’ll get free medical and dental care for life…well….they want to do it to us again….In a tale between two legislative marks, the gulf widens.The Senate's mark for the 2018 defense authorization bill was revealed this week. The Senate aligned itself with DoD's budget request to increase pharmacy copayments and to repeal a grandfathered TRICARE fee structure, under the guise that it is too confusing and costly.  This legislative proposal goes even further and aims to raise pharmacy cost shares even higher. By contrast, the House voted to maintain the current grandfathered TRICARE fee structure and pharmacy cost shares and maintain fee increases tied to COLAs. MOAA strongly supports the House proposal to stick with the current TRICARE fee structure, which prevents disproportional fee increases foisted onto military beneficiaries.fee increases proposed by the Senate are nothing short of an assault on beneficiaries' hard-earned benefits. Beneficiaries are being asked, again, to fund readiness accounts and other DoD projects with money out of their own pockets, rather than asking the broader base of American taxpayers for their support.  Sadly, this regrettable practice has become almost routine.  The chart below compares TRICARE proposals from the administration, the House, and the Senate. 

Did You Know?Commissaries now scan all customer IDs. (From Army Echoes). Few of us make it to the commissary due to geography, but those that do are sometimes surprised by this. In January 2014, commissaries began scanning customers’ Department of Defense ID cards at all checkouts as the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) continued its efforts to deliver a 21st century benefit. The commissary at Fort Lee, Va., became the first store to scan ID cards on Oct. 22, 2013. Commissary shoppers are used to showing their ID cards to establish their eligibility to use the commissary. By scanning the ID at checkout, DeCA will no longer need to maintain any personal information on customers in its computer systems, such as the system used for customers who write checks.Scanning will also help improve the commissary benefit for all patrons, according to Joseph H. Jeu, DeCA Director and CEO. "In addition to verifying customers as authorized commissary patrons, we'll gain information that will give us a better understanding of our patrons, allowing the agency to provide the commissary benefit more effectively and efficiently," Jeu said.Cross-referenced with other DOD data, the scan data will give DeCA useful information about patron usage by military service, along with customer demographics that do not identify the specific personal data of an individual. This will eventually help the agency identify shopping needs and preferences – information that is essential in today’s retail business environment. It will also allow more accurate reporting to the military services on commissary usage. The demographic information DeCA will use is strictly limited to card ID number, rank, military status, branch of service, age, household size, and ZIP codes of residence and duty station. DeCA will not be using any personal information such as names, addresses or phone numbers."The methods, processes and information we’ll use will not compromise our customers’ privacy – they can be sure of that,” Jeu said. “We're putting technology to work to better understand our customers and ensure the commissary benefit continues to remain relevant to them now and in the future."For more information on ID card scanning, go to: http://www.commissaries.com/documents/contact_deca/faqs/id_card_scanning.cfm

Membership Renewal: Chapter Members, it’s time to “REUP” for 2018. Please bring to the next meeting $20 in cash, or a check made out to SCFC of MOAA in the same amount. If you would like to mail it to us the address is: SCFC of MOAA, PO Box 7841, Sebring, FL 33872. Scholarship donations are also appreciated.

MOAA Membership is FREE!! Basic membership doesn’t cost a penny and can be done on line at www.moaa.org. Of course there are increased benefits and privileges with Regular or Life membership, and it is strongly encouraged.

Administration Budget

House Bill(H.R. 2810)

Enrollment Repeals Grand-fathered Fees

Existing(Granfathered)Fee Structure

New TFL fees

NO NO

Senate Bill(S. 1519)

Repeals (Grandfathered) Fees

NO

Pharmacy Fees

Triples fees over 10-year period

Fee Increases remain

indexed to COLA

Fee Increases more than

tripled over 10 years

Fee Indexing Health Index1 COLA Health Index

1The National Health Expenditure index far exceeds COLA increases. It is currently projected to be 5.9 percent in FY 2018.But MOAA does support other elements of the proposed legislation, many of which do not apply to most of us, but in any case, here they are: (Cont.)

Did You Know 2? (Cont.)

• A five-year demonstration project to examine the feasibility of offering Medicare Advantage customized for TRICARE For Life (TFL) beneficiaries. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private companies that contract with Medicare to provide Part A and Part B benefits. Medicare Advantage plan options include health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs), and others. DoD will select certain markets and contractors for the demo. TFL beneficiaries will be either enrolled or may choose to opt out of participation.

• An expedited process for evaluation and treatment of TRICARE beneficiaries requiring prenatal surgery.

• Establishing specific TRICARE policy which states hospice care can be provided to beneficiaries under age 21. This is a provision MOAA has advocated for strongly.

• Allows for the lower-cost TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) health insurance for drilling Reserve and Guard members who are full-time federal employees.

• Proposes DoD, the VA, and the Department of Health and Human Services create a pilot program to establish an integrated health care delivery system between the military health system and other federal and private-sector health systems.

Did You Know 3? Steep Pharmacy Cost Share Increases. Regarding pharmacy cost shares, the Senate proposal goes much further than even DoD's proposed fee hikes. The intent is to raise fees to encourage beneficiaries to fill their prescriptions for free on base. This logic presumes most retirees -- who are, incidentally, the ones who use mail order the most -- live near a base; the large majority do not. These proposed fee hikes will hit TRICARE For Life beneficiaries and members of the reserve components the hardest.A common example would be a retired beneficiary using TRICARE home delivery who is on three generic medications and uses one brand-name medication. Their current out-of-pocket cost share for a 90-day supply is $0 for the generic medications and $20 for the brand-name. Under the new proposal, their annual costs would increase, starting next year, from $80 annually to $232. Annual COLA increases would not even come close to covering these new costs.The chart below demonstrates the rise in beneficiary costs over time that would result from this proposal:

(Cont.)

Another rationale of their proposal is to bring mail-order generic medications to parity with retail generics by adding a $10 copayment for mail-order generics, which will rise to $14 by 2026. The current cost is $0. The end result: a military beneficiary's TRICARE pharmacy benefit becomes no better than going to Wal-Mart, as the display below illustrates. 

MOAA believes increasing these fees to pay for readiness improvements, fund other military personnel benefits, and fix the Widow's Tax (the Survivor Benefit Plan-Dependency and Indemnity Compensation offset) is a breach of Congress' inherent obligation to preserve and care for those who serve and have served.

Did You Know 3? (Cont.)

New Members: Joe Suggs

Sarasota Multi-Chapter Lunch:The Sarasota chapter luncheon on 15 September is one that they invite folks from other chapters in the southwest area to.  I have attended this event twice before and it is really quite nice.  Diana and I plan to attend.  If you would like to go, please let me know.  We have to pay up front.  I could collect your checks at our next board meeting or I'll pay with one check and then get the money from you later.  I don't have the menu options yet, but the cost is usually $28/person.  This is a "soup-to-nuts" (without the nuts) affair.  Really nice and a good way to meet leaders from other chapters in the area.  They always have a good guest speaker or entertainment.  Again, just let me know if you'd like to attend and we can arrange for the logistics (car-pooling, etc.).  BTW, the restaurant in Sarasota is Michael's on East.Cheers,Mike

Did You Know 4? TRICARE Nurse Advice Line: Older adults can have multiple health problems and may not know whether they need to see a doctor or can administer self-care, so TRICARE officials want people to consider calling the Nurse Advice Line first before deciding. TRICARE officials report that more than half of all adults 65 and older have three or more chronic medical problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or arthritis. People suffering from a rash, a sinus infection, or perhaps just have a common cold, can speak with a registered nurse who will help assess if self-care or if you need to see a medical professional. The Nurse Advice Line provides access to care, especially after hours and when traveling, which is helps retirees on the move. It can also help find doctors and schedule next-day appointments at military hospitals and clinics when available. To access the Nurse Advice Line call 800-TRICARE (874-2273) and select Option 1. Visit the Nurse Advice Line webpage (https://tricare.mil/ContactUs/CallUs/NAL.aspx?sc_database=web) for more details. (Courtesy of TRICARE)

Notice: The Nominating Committee has been formed and would like you to know that any chapter member interested in running for an Office or serving as a Director, should contact one of the committee members.  The election will take place during the November dinner/social. A slate of officers will be presented for a vote to the members. The slate will consist of the four elected officer positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. While the other director positions are not “officially” up for election, we will ask the members to affirm their support for those candidates as well. Those positions include the Membership, Legislative, Personal Affairs, and Newsletter Chairs. Contact information for the members of the Nominating Committee is provided here:         Fred Carino        fredcarino@gmail.com        863-381-3636 Home Phone (No Cell)        Mark Millia        markmilia@att.net         407-222-4867 Cell Phone (No Home Phone)         John Harbaugh        johnh@bright.net        863-658-1192  Home Phone        419-560-0574  Cell Phone

Important Note: When was the last time you updated your contact info with MOAA National? Are you getting your magazine, other e-mail items, legislative updates, etc.? If not, it is important to provide your current address, e-mail address, phone number, etc. You can do this by going to the MOAA home page: www.moaa.org, or to make it easy on yourself, call MOAA at 1-800-234-6622. You will get to a real person rather quickly, and they will take care of business in no time.

August Birthdays: 3 August: Lance Marine 11 August: Dan Edgar 14 Mackie Boone 15 Charlie Martin

Editor’s Note: If your birthday is not recognized, it is because you did not include it on your application form. Please contact the Secretary, Malcolm Johnson at 863-242-9215, and provide the same.

Mike presents July guest speaker Cindy Garren of South Florida State College with a

MOAA cup

Chapter Members in Action

PURPOSES OF THE MILITARY OFFICERSASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) is a not-for-profit corporation that is operated exclusively to further the interests of the nation and its uniformed services personnel, their family members, and survivors.

From the preamble to the Bylaws of The Military Officers Association of America

• To inculcate and stimulate love of country and flag;• To defend the honor, integrity, and supremacy of our

National Government and the Constitution of the United States;

• To advocate military forces adequate to the defense of our country;

• To foster the integrity and prestige of uniformed service;• To foster fraternal relations between all branches of the

various Services from which our members are drawn;• To further the education of children of Service

personnel;• To aid personnel of the Services from which our

members are drawn, and their family members and survivors, in every proper and legitimate manner; and

• To present their rights and interests when Service matters are under considerationWe unite to form THE MILITARY OFFICERS

ASSOCIATION OF AMERICATAKE ACTION!!www.moaa.org

MOAA’s Top 10 Goals for 2017

• Remove the sequester• End disable/survivor financial offsets and penalties• Ensure TRICARE reform sustains access to and

performance of top-quality care• Prevent disproportional TRICARE fee hikes and

inordinate program changes• End military pay raise caps and restore pay

comparability with private sector• Guard against erosion of earned compensation and

commissary benefits• Sustain wounded warrior programs and expanded

caregiver support• Credit Guard and Reserve call-ups for retirement

purposes• Improve and sustain spouse and family support• Assure timely access to VA care and eliminate claims

backlog

The Heartlander is published monthly by members of the South Central Florida Chapter of Military Officers Association of America, P.O. Box 7841, Sebring, FL 33872. The Chapter is an apolitical and not-partisan, non-profit organization affiliated with National MOAA and the Florida Council of Chapters, MOAA, not associated with the Department of Defense. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of MOAA, the Florida Council of Chapters, the Chapter or DOD.

Chapter Members in Action

Jackie Smith and Polly Parks laugh at the photographer

Pat Carino and Linda White discuss "honey-do list items for Fred and Gordon

Chapter Members in Action

Marie Milia and Pat Tait in a very candid moment

Marie Milia and Annabel Humble smile for the camera

Del Smith and Barbara Desjardins light up the room