Senate Concurrent Resolution 602

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO ENACT CERTAIN LEGISLATION RECOGNIZING THE MEDICAL NEEDS OF RETIRED MILITARY PERSONNEL AND FAMILIES WHO ARE MEDICARE ELIGIBLE.

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi has one of the largest retired military communities in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi includes among its population thousands of retired military personnel in addition to their dependent families; and

WHEREAS, these military retirees receive millions of dollars per month in retired military pay, much of which goes for the daily living expenses of the retired military community and thus helps support the economy of the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, it is believed that the contributions of the retired military community to this state and nation are beyond most people's realization; and

WHEREAS, the health care of our retired military community was recognized by Congress in the fiscal 2001 National Defense Authorization Act, Public Law 106-398, in a program titled "TRICARE for Life"; and

WHEREAS, TRICARE substantially improves health care access for most Medicare eligible military retirees; and

WHEREAS, TRICARE for Life is a "Medigap" type wraparound coverage, that is, it fills the gaps left by Medicare; and

WHEREAS, when a Medicare eligible retiree uses a civilian facility, TRICARE becomes the secondary payer to Medicare; and

WHEREAS, when the retiree uses the Military Treatment Facilities (MTF), Medicare pays nothing; and

WHEREAS, with the authorization of Medicare funds for patients in a Military Treatment Facility, and with the addition of trained medical personnel, could accommodate both retired military personnel and dependents and active duty personnel; and

WHEREAS, providing Medicare funds to Military Treatment Facilities will provide jobs for qualified military and civilian medical personnel which will assist the economy of this state; and

WHEREAS, only the United States Congress can make good on the promises recruiters made in good faith to those that served their country for at least 20 years with the understanding that when they retired, they and their dependents would receive full health care for life:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That the Legislature of the State of Mississippi respectfully requests the President and Congress of the United States to enact legislation recognizing the medical needs of retired military personnel and families who are of Medicare age to provide Medicare funds directly to the Military Treatment Facility when an individual is in the hospital so that expansion with the hiring of qualified medical personnel will not only create additional jobs, but will also reduce over the next decade Medicare payments for private care.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to each Senator and Representative from Mississippi in the Congress of the United States, to the Senate Armed Forces Committee, to the House Armed Services Committee, and to the chairman of each committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate for consideration of this legislation.