LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
January 2023
This month began the 118th Congress. All the bills that were introduced in the 117th Congress that were not signed into law must be resubmitted. As this legislative slate is wiped clean, grassroots support becomes even more vital to achieving MOAA’s advocacy objectives. This means MOAA will need time to assess new and old veteran-related legislation as they are introduced by the new Congress. Over the next two years, MOAA will be tracking these legislative issues and ensure they get the congressional attention they deserve through MOAA’s advocacy programs and individual members’ out-reach to their respective legislators.
MOAA’s Legislative Priorities for the 118th Congress
MOAA’s priorities for the 118th Congress are listed below. The legislative priorities will be shaped throughout the year depending on concurrent successes or emerging issues that warrant an all-hands approach. Additionally, MOAA will share the many interests with The Military Coalition and other stakeholder groups, and leverage those relationships to expand our reach on Capitol Hill.
Details for each of these seven priorities may be reviewed at
or click on each individual priority above.
TRICARE For Life (TFL) Benefit Targeted by Congressional Budget Office Report
There are five active legislative campaigns on the MOAA website at https://moaa.quorum.us/. One of these legislative campaign items stands out as an important issue that demands our attention NOW: “Tell Congress You Oppose TRICARE for Life Fees.” The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has taken aim at TRICARE for Life (TFL). Two proposals are among the options to cut the deficit that would significantly increase the cost for seniors using TFL:
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TFL Enrollment Fee. The CBO proposal would require Medicare-eligible beneficiaries who choose to enroll in TFL to pay an annual enrollment fee of $575 for individual coverage or $1,150 for family coverage. See MOAA’ TRICARE Guide at Understanding Medicare and TRICARE For Life.
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TFL Cost-Sharing. This CBO proposal would introduce minimum out-of-pocket requirements in TFL, including an $850 deductible – TFL would not cover any of the first $850 of a beneficiary’s Medicare cost-sharing. After the deductible was satisfied, TFL would cover only 50% of the next $7,650 in Medicare cost-sharing.
These CBO proposals have not yet been introduced in Congress as a bill, but we all need to take immediate action to do our part to ensure they never reach the level of a introduced bill. MOAA will fight any attempts to reduce the TFL benefit for retirees. Join MOAA National by telling your lawmaker to reject the CBO’s TFL proposals.