[magellan]

"It was Bill Pascrell - lunatic liar from New Jersey"

The Senate bill only exempted TRICARE for Life and Veterans health programs. I don't know what they may have addressed in the reconciliation, however Representative Skelton, Chair of the House Armed Services Committee, says there is no exception in the bill for TRICARE for current active duty military members or military family members, there is no exception for TRICARE Reserve Select, and there is no exception of any TRICARE for military retirees prior to age 65.

All of these categories will be subject to the IRS tax of up to $2,250 per year.

[Dinah Lord]

This is the amendment that was introduced and subsequently voted down by the Dems. Steve Buyer spoke very eloquently about the shortcomings on the coverage of the bill as it stood now. I wish I could be more specific but it was one of the last amendments introduced and yes, I had been in the wine. :^(

Would protect the integrity and independence of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care systems and state that the TRICARE program and veterans’ health care programs meet all of the requirements for individual health insurance under the bill.