Defense Department officials have drafted plans to raise TRICARE enrollment fees and deductibles sharply over the next three years for military retirees under age 65 and their families, about three million beneficiaries.

If the changes touted by senior Defense officials are adopted, annual enrollment fees for TRICARE Prime, the military%u2019s managed care option, would triple by October 2008 for working-age retired officers and double for enlisted retirees.

Yearly deductibles for retirees using TRICARE Standard, the fee-for-service health insurance option, would double for officers and rise by a third for enlisted. Also, for the first time retirees who use TRICARE Standard would pay an enrollment fee in addition to their deductible.

It seems the military is trying to really put the screws on our retired soldiers and veterans. The Bush administration is also trying to charge more for VA Benefits, including cutting 100% disabled support down to 60%. Raising premiums, co-pays and increasing enrollment fees is no way to treat the people who've served our country. Get the money from somewhere else. I'm sure there are plenty of useless programs that could be scaled back.

Read the full story.