For Release: Wednesday, October 11, 2000
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661
WASHINGTON-- The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Defense Authorization Conference Report which includes language to provide lifetime health care for military retirees and their eligible family members beginning in Fiscal Year 2002. The bill also restores pharmacy access to all Medicare-eligible military retirees.
"Since coming to Congress I have continuously fought to ensure military retirees receive the benefits promised to them," said Costello. "The legislation passed by Congress today is a step in the right direction toward providing lifetime health care for military retirees and their families. In Southwestern Illinois alone, this will benefit nearly 12,000 retirees."
The conference report provides no-cost, lifetime health care for military retirees (20+ years of service) and their eligible family members beginning in FY'02, as well as pharmacy access to all Medicare-eligible military retirees. Previously, retirees have had to join Medicare upon turning 65. These new entitlements will result in direct spending of $60 billion over 10 years.
The bill will now go to the Senate were it is expected to be approved and then signed into law by President Clinton.
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