Last week the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report titled: Options For Reducing The Deficit – 2014 to 2023.
Contained in this report are recommendations that would impact Veterans Benefits, Defense Spending and Military Retiree Benefits.
Specifically, the report recommends:
- Elimination of concurrent receipt pay and disability compensation for disabled veterans
- Narrow eligibility for Veterans disability compensation by excluding certain disabilities unrelated to military duties
- Restrict VA’s individual unemployability benefits to disabled Veterans who are younger than the full retirement age for social security
- Introduce minimum out of pocket requirements under TRICARE for Life
- Modify TRICARE enrollment fees and cost sharing for working age military retirees
- End enrollment in VA medical care for Veterans in Priority Group 7 and 8
CBO periodically issues these reports that list policy options that would affect the federal budget as well as separate reports that include policy options in particular areas. The most recent previous report was Reducing the Deficit: Spending and Revenue Options published in March of 2011. That report contained similar recommendations that would affect military and veterans benefits and The American Legion was vocal in our opposition to those recommendations.
Staff is reviewing all of the recommendation listed above and will provide point papers to the respective Commissions with jurisdiction over the specific issue. Will also send the point papers to leadership as they become available.
This information is being shared with you in case you receive questions from Legionnaires regarding the CBO Report and these recommendations. National Headquarters has received several inquiries since the report was published.
Daniel S. Wheeler
National Adjutant
