Military Health Care Affordability Act

To amend title 10, United States Code, to prohibit certain increases in fees for military health care before fiscal year 2016. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Military Health Care Affordability Act 2. Findings and sense of congress (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) America’s warriors offer a life of supreme devotion in service to their Nation, and through generations of war-fighting, their dedication has proven honorable, their sacrifice immeasurable, and their record of excellence undeniable. (2) No American goes to war alone—the burden of every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and Marine is shared, in part, by all of his or her loved ones. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) so long as the United States sends men and women into battle, the United States will be faithful to care for them upon their return; (2) as the veteran answered the call of duty, so too, is the United States duty-bound to answer the call of the veteran; (3) the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs have the tools and ingenuity to provide continued excellent health care without increasing TRICARE payments from the veteran before fiscal year 2014; and (4) in the words of President Abraham Lincoln, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations. 3. Prohibition on increases of certain health costs and restrictions on health benefit adjustments for members and retirees of the uniformed services and their dependents (a) Prohibition on increase in charges under contracts for medical care Section 1097(e) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking September 30, 2011 September 30, 2015 (2) in paragraph (2), by striking October 1, 2012 October 1, 2015 (b) Prohibition on increase in amount of cost sharing requirement under pharmacy benefits program Section 1074g(a)(6)(C)(i) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking Beginning October 1, 2013, The amount of any increase in a cost-sharing amount specified in subparagraph (A) in a year may not be increased during the period beginning on October 1, 2012, and ending on September 30, 2015. Beginning October 1, 2015, (c) Prohibition on increase in charges for inpatient care Section 1086(b)(3) September 30, 2011 September 30, 2015 (d) Prohibition on increase in premiums under TRICARE coverage for certain members in the Selected Reserve Section 1076d(d)(3) (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking The monthly Except as provided by subparagraph (C), the monthly (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (C) During the period beginning on October 1, 2013, and ending on September 30, 2015, the monthly amount of the premium for TRICARE Standard coverage under this section may not be increased to be more than the amount in effect for the month of September 2013. . (e) Prohibition on increase in premiums under TRICARE coverage for certain members of the Retired Reserve Section 1076e(d) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (6) During the period beginning on October 1, 2013, and ending on September 30, 2015, the monthly amount of the premium for TRICARE Standard coverage under this section may not be increased to be more than the amount in effect for the month of September 2013. . (f) Prohibition on increase in premiums under TRICARE coverage for certain dependents Section 1110b(c) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (5) During the period beginning on October 1, 2013, and ending on September 30, 2015, the monthly amount of the premium for coverage under the TRICARE program provided pursuant to this section may not be increased to be more than the amount in effect for the month of September 2013. .

Summary: Military Health Care Affordability Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) so long as the United States sends men and women into battle, the United States will be faithful to care for them upon their return; (2) as the veteran answered the call of duty, so too, is the United States duty-bound to answer the call of the veteran; and (3) the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have the tools and ingenuity to provide continued excellent health care without increasing TRICARE payments from the veteran before fiscal year 2014. Extends through FY2015 (under current law, through FY2011) the prohibition on increases in certain health care costs and restrictions on health benefit adjustments for members of the Armed Forces, retirees, and their dependents, including charges and premiums under TRICARE (a DOD managed care program) and cost-sharing requirements under the DOD pharmacy benefits program.