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Dear Senator _____,

In August 2009, President Obama specifically stated that any health reform legislation would not affect TRICARE.   This was included in the original health reform legislation, HR3590, passed by the House of Representatives and sent to the Senate.

Senate bill S1728, the Senate version of HR3590, no longer includes this provision.  It excludes the part of HR3590 which states "nothing in this subtitle shall be construed as affecting any authority under title 38, United States Code, or chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code."

As a military family, I wish to remind you that all our military members and their families have earned their current VA and TRICARE coverage and do not wish to see it further diminished.  Military members endure conditions of service unlike any in the civilian world.  Their job is uniquely perilous, with them often being away from their families for long periods of time while subjected to environmental conditions which would be considered abusive for their dogs back in the US.  Their families endure frequent uprooting of their homes and substandard housing, and find themselves regularly having to adapt to new environments, new schools, new friends (as family are usually far away) and new employment opportunities (or lack thereof).  Our veterans are coming home today with injuries far more severe than those which were considered survivable in prior wars and require specialist medical and related treatment which is usually quite different to that required in the civilian world.   

I ask you to oppose any proposals to integrate TRICARE or the VA Medical Services into any new proposed health care initiative.  These two programs are unique and have developed over time into those that are able to serve the particular requirements of the military and their families.  

I further ask you to ensure that any final legislation includes provisions to ensure that military health care, including that for veterans, retired military and their families not be subject to cuts or additional fees.  

Thank you for your support of our American military members, veterans and their families.