Big Sky Times

Montana veterans will not lose their health care if the TRICARE Retired Protection Act, which was introduced by Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana), is passed, according to Daines' website.

The legislation was drafted to ensure that Montana’s 9,500 military retirees will not lose their health benefits because of new policy changes which take effect Jan. 1 of next year.

“We must do all we can to ensure our retired Montana heroes have the health care they earned,” Daines said. “That’s why I introduced my bill to prevent Montana veterans from losing coverage.”

Earlier this month, according to a press release from the Senator’s office, some military retirees received notices that beneficiaries who fail to establish a monthly payment plan between Monday, Nov. 9 and Monday, Dec. 14 could receive care at a military facility on a space-available basis. After receiving notification, some veterans called the senator’s office to complain.

At least one veteran is supporting the legislation, according to the press release from the senator’s office.

Military retirees are showing support for Daines’ legislation.

"The letter states that if we do not call in, we will lose TRICARE and have the option of going to a local military hospital. The DOD rules indicate that to be seen as a retiree at a military hospital you must live within 40 miles of that hospital. Here in Montana that is almost an impossibility for most military retirees. This mandate should be rescinded and at the very least military retirees should be allowed up to a year to call in to be certain the medical insurance and care for themselves and their families is continued as promised," Missoula resident John Shelman said.