Military Health Cuts Coming Down the Pipe

Possible New Uniform for USMC After Sweeping Budget Cuts for the DoD

In an era of a spiraling federal deficit, it seems logical that the government would need to make some cutbacks here and there. An influential foreign policy guru from Haa-vad discusses how the Defense Department should be first on the chopping block. He doesn't get into cutting back on costly acquisition programs (F-22s, death rays, etc.) like other liberal publications, but he makes a vaguely open-ended statement that it all needs to be cut back. From Foreign Policy:

So you'd think that this would be the ideal time to rethink our global military strategy and look for some savings in the defense area. I'm not talking radical disarmament, but I don't mean just canceling gold-plated programs like the F-22 or abandoning the chimaera of national missile defense. If America has to tighten its belt, shouldn't that include DOD?

The DoD FY2009 budget is massive, indeed, but it includes things like $41.6B for military health, $107.8B in pay for active duty and reserves, etc. Anyone who's been on a base knows that it's not exactly an example of government largesse run amok. Most of the facilities look like a Stalin-era cement plant built in 1946 Romania. Messing with military health is another bad idea. The federal government is obligated to take care of active-duty members and their families, and the way with which the Foreign Policy post treats veterans as just another voting bloc is boneheaded. It's no secret that military personnel have some stressful gigs, and I've never seen so many gray-haired people in their 30s than senior enlisted guys, so maintaining adequate health is critical for having a military able to carry out its job. That's why it's a bit of shock (er, maybe not) to see the Congressional Budget Office looking to make some serious cuts on military health by imposing new TriCare fees. From Stars and Stripes (thx TSO):

A new report from the Congressional Budget Office shows why some military retirees and veterans could face higher out-of-pocket costs if the Obama administration and Congress take bold moves to reform the U.S. health system and to make federal health programs more efficient.

Among 115 “options” presented, though not endorsed, in the CBO report, several focus on raising Tricare out-of-pocket costs for retirees and one targets families. Others would tighten access to VA hospitals and clinics, or raise VA health fees, for veterans with no service-connected conditions.

Jonn Lilyea scolds us whippersnappers who have only served under Bush that a Democrat administration will mean troops on foodstamps, or something to that effect, like during the Clinton days. I certainly hope not. The military is a public service operating directly under provisions of the Constitution and not some voting bloc to be toyed with by threatening to cut benefits that aren't anything spectacular or lavish in the first place. While "trimming the fat" might be necessary during these tough times, just realize that they aren't just scrapping wizbang gizmotrons when you hear Defense Budget cuts.