The Honorable Gwen Moore
House of Representatives
1239 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-4904Re: HR 816, The Military Retirees' Healthcare Protection Act to Freeze TRICARE FeesDear Representative Moore:

Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX) and Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) have introduced H.R. 816, "The Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act" that would prohibit DoD from increasing TRICARE fees, specifying that the authority to increase TRICARE fees exists only in Congress.

The Defense Department needs to do more to investigate other options to make TRICARE more cost-efficient as an alternative to shifting costs to retiree beneficiaries.

Our nation is at war and imposing higher healthcare costs on retirees sends a powerful negative message not only to retirees, but to those currently serving about the value of their service to the nation. Unlike private sector employees, military retirees have answered the call to serve, and most have done so under extremely difficult circumstances while separated from their families to defend the freedoms we enjoy today.

Last year's bill had 215 cosponsors, and I urge you to help increase that number in the 111th Congress. Consider that such action is consistent with the President's policy of stimulating the economy rather than adding/increasing another tax on military retirees and our survivors.

As of June 3, HR 816 has 147 co-sponsors. Please add your support to this legislation and double this number to increase its likelihood of being included in the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act.

As such, as your constituent, I strongly urge you to co-sponsor this most important legislation.

Please copy this letter and send it off to your Representative - Thanks