In 2007 the military community can expect to see numerous bills introduced in the 110th Congress that will impact on their well being. Some will be the reintroduction of legislation under new bill numbers that expired when the 109th Congress recessed and some will be new or revised approaches to enhance veteran's benefits. All will require cosponsors to sign on and support them. Without sufficient cosponsors the bills will never get out of committee to give them a chance at approval on the floor of the House and Senate. Legislators listen to their constituents and if enough constituents support an issue they will sign on as cosponsors in support of veteran issues. Thus, input to them by veterans is essential. Elsewhere in this Bulletin Update is information on how to contact your legislator. Knowledge of the issues affecting our community will enhance your communications. It is never too early to express your views and it is not necessary to wait for a bill to be introduced to contact your representative. The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA) has published their 2007 Legislative Agenda which is fairly comprehensive on the issues that need to be addressed by Congress. More will be forthcoming in the Bulletin on these below issues as the year progresses:

1. Expansion of CRSC to those with less than 20 years of service

2. Expansion of Concurrent Receipt (CR) to those with VA disability compensation ratings of 40% and below (to include those with 0% disabled with Special Awards from VA).

3. Expansion of CR to those with 15 years or more service (last enlistment should benefit).

4. Elimination of the 10 year phase-in for CR for those less than 100% to include those rated as unemployable.

5. Effective date of CRSC and CR to be retroactive to VA disability compensation rating effective date (VA claims can be backlogged for a year or more before claim is adjudicated).

6. Specific legislative language indicating that guard/reserve eligible retirees at age 60 who become disabled on active duty with less than 20 years of active service are eligible for CRSC or CR at age 60.

7. Include those as unemployable for higher CRSC rating.

8. Refundable tax credit for Medicare Part B premiums.

9. Pre-tax deduction of TRICARE premiums, deductibles and co-payments.

10. Increase reimbursement rate for TRICARE Standard.

11. Equality in TRICARE Prime - same benefits for retirees as active duty (for example eyeglasses are not covered for retirees).

12. FEHBP eligibility for military retirees.

13. Reserve/Guard retirement lowered to age 55 (includes full TRICARE benefits).

14. Reform the Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act.

15. Monitoring of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process for beneficiary impact (active, guard/reserve, retired and survivors).

16. Eliminate the SBP/DIC offset.

17. Paid-up Premiums at age 70 with 30 years in SBP.

18. Correct the SBP government subsidy to the 40% as originally intended.

19. Authorize DoD and VA to become Medicare providers.

20. Guaranteed funding of the VA Appropriations (Currently enrolled and those eligible to enroll).

Zero percent service connected - category 3 for VA healthcare. 21. Non-service connected military retirees - category 3 for VA healthcare.

22. Flag Protection Constitutional Amendment.