Sequestration would cut healthcare access for users of the military's Tricare plan

[Redfairen]

Across-the-board spending cuts set to start March 1 could mean a reduction in services under Tricare, the military's healthcare plan.

Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this week that cuts to the defense budget could result in "delays in payments to service providers and, potentially, some denial of service," under Tricare.

"You can't cut health care the way you can cut back depot maintenance or training because you can't tell people they can't be sick or see a doctor," Carter said.

If sequestration isn't stopped before the March 1 deadline, the Pentagon will cut some $46 billion by the end of the fiscal year, causing, Carter said, "significant and damaging cuts in nearly every budget category." That would include Tricare, which provides healthcare for military members, retirees, veterans and their dependents. Tricare could see as much as $3 billion in funding cuts.

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2013/02/tricare_users_could_see_longer.html#incart_river_default

[dgibby]

1. Typical.

Use us for cannon fodder, then cut funds for health care. I would NEVER recommend the military as a career choice for anyone, considering how AD, Vets, and retirees are used and abused. Let the republicans fight the next war, since they're the warmongers and the ones most likely to benefit from war.

[smccarter]

2. Cut a socialized healthcare program?

Hmm...

[fasttense]

3. I just got a letter that said they were cutting off my Tricare Prime

I have to convert to Tricare standard which will increase my out of pocket expenses by over $2000. Great. If I had known Tricare Prime would be going away 12 years ago, I would have settled in a place closer to a military facility. But I'm stuck where I am because of our house and farm.

Crap, I hate Tricare Standard. It is so confusing and purposely designed to confuse you. I used it about 10 years ago and the bills just kept on coming. $3,000 annual cap is a lie. It only counts some medical expenses toward the cap and it all depends on you doing the paperwork right every time and going to the right doctor and getting pre-authorizations. And the paperwork is just so complicated. You think you have it figured out but then they change it on you. Crap.

I hope Congress and the executive office took a chunk out of their health care too. These Congressmen and cabinet positions are costing the nation way too much.

[Zax2me]

4. The list of things being cut/slashed/ended is getting long!

If the sky does not fall after all these warnings, someone is going to have some explaining to do.

[marshall]

5. Doesn't it mean cuts everywhere

I've seen numerous things discussed as being cut,but in the end something of everything will be cut, fro the most vital to the most frivolous.

[davidpdx]

6. Hopefully the sequester will be reversed

I can just see this being used by those on the right as hate toward the military.