McCain: Tricare fees must rise to control costs-care costs will undermine combat capability

[The Straight Story]

McCain: Tricare fees must rise to control costs


Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said Thursday that “dire circumstances” are the reason he’s willing to make military retirees pay more for health care benefits.

McCain, a decorated Vietnam veteran and former prisoner of war who is the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, has drawn fire from retirees because of his suggestion that they can pay more for Tricare health coverage for themselves and their families.

“Military retirees and their families deserve the best possible care in return for a career of military service, and nothing less,” McCain said on the Senate floor during debate on the $526 billion defense authorization bill for fiscal 2012.
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“But we cannot ignore the fact that health care costs will undermine the combat capability and training and readiness of our military if we don’t begin to control the cost growth now,” he said.

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/11/military-mccain-tricare-fees-must-rise-to-control-costs-111711w/