Senate passes Defense bill, maintains TRICARE
WASHINGTON The Senate voted 91-3 on Tuesday to approve a new version of the National Defense Authorization Act, revised following a pocket veto by President Bush in December.
The House of Representatives last week passed its version, H.R. 4986, a bill similar to the Defense Authorization Act that was vetoed by President Bush, who objected to a provision related to funding for the Iraqi government. As such, it retains important provisions related to the TRICARE pharmacy program.
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores applauded the bill’s passage, especially the two “critical” provisions it had long championed: “1) extending the current freeze on increases to retail pharmacy co-payments; and 2) language clarifying that the Department of Defense may negotiate with drug manufacturers for federal pricing discounts for TRICARE prescriptions filled at retail pharmacies, in the same manner as they do today for TRICARE prescriptions filled at military bases or by mail order.” The NACDS claimed in a statement Wednesday that this last would save the DOD $1.8 billion through the year 2012.
The White House is expected to sign the revised $696 billion bill into law. The portion of the original bill to which the President objected, a provision relating to funds for lawsuits brought against states that sponsor terrorism, has been removed. The bill also includes a 3.5 percent pay raise for military personnel. Both houses of Congress are hoping to avoid another veto. “The administration’s people need to work more closely with both parties,” said Senate Armed Services member Ben Nelson, D-Neb.
“NACDS applauds the Senate for taking the earliest opportunity to pass a revised version of this bill,” stated NACDS president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson. “Our nation’s soldiers, military retirees and their families should have the freedom to choose where they obtain prescription medications, and this legislation will help preserve access to retail pharmacies in the TRICARE program. The bill will not only maintain choice for TRICARE beneficiaries—it also provides substantial savings to the Department of Defense.”
“We commend the House and Senate Armed Services Committees for their leadership and commitment on these important provisions,” Anderson continued. “The Senate’s action yesterday has brought us one step closer to achieving good public policy that is pro-soldier and pro-savings. We urge President Bush to sign this legislation promptly so that it can be enacted into law.”