BILL NUMBER: SJR 8	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Committee on Veterans Affairs (Senators Correa
(Chair), Berryhill, Calderon, Cannella, Lieu, Negrete McLeod, Rubio,
and Runner)

                        MAY 25, 2011

   Relative to TRICARE cost increases.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SJR 8, as introduced, Committee on Veterans Affairs. TRICARE cost
increases.
   This measure would urge the United States Congress to take the
necessary steps to ensure that Congress itself has the sole authority
to determine future TRICARE cost increases, and base any future
TRICARE cost changes, including pharmaceutical copays, on
cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), as determined by the United States
Department of Labor and given to all recipients who normally get
this COLA.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, Uniformed service members and their families endure
unique and extraordinary demands and sacrifices protecting freedoms
for all Americans; and
   WHEREAS, The extent of these demands is never so evident as during
times of war; and
   WHEREAS, The primary offset for enduring these extraordinary
sacrifices is a system of benefits, including healthcare coverage,
titled TRICARE that a grateful nation provides for those who choose
to subordinate their personal life to the national interest; and
   WHEREAS, TRICARE For Life (TFL) serves as Medicare wraparound
coverage for TRICARE beneficiaries who are entitled to Medicare Part
A and who have Medicare Part B coverage; and
   WHEREAS, The only exceptions are active duty service members, US
Family Health Plan enrollees, TRICARE Reserve Select enrollees, and
TRICARE Retired Reserve enrollees; and
   WHEREAS, TFL costs are proposed to be increased by the United
States Department of Defense with little basis-in-fact for the
percentage increase; and
   WHEREAS, This increase and the basis for the increase is under
considerable debate by all veterans organizations; now, therefore, be
it
   Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of
California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the United States
Congress to take the necessary steps to ensure that Congress itself
has the sole authority to determine future TRICARE cost increases,
and base any future TRICARE cost changes, including pharmaceutical
copays, on cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), as determined by the
United States Department of Labor and given to all recipients who
normally get this COLA; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States,
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of
the Senate, each Senator and Representative from California in the
Congress of the United States, and to the author for appropriate
distribution.