FY 2008 Defense Authorization Bill Provisions

Health Care Issues
Issue	Senate	House	Final Legislation
TRICARE fee increases	Bar Prime, Standard or pharmacy fee increases before 9/30/08. Establishes principles that military pay large "in kind" premiums of arduous service.	Similar prohibition of FY08 fee increases, but no language on principles	Adopted House provisions
TRICARE pharmacy	Federal pricing discounts apply to drugs in retail system as well as military pharmacies and mail-order system.	Authorize DoD to exclude drugs from the pharmacy benefit if drug companies don't offer sufficient discount.	Senate provision adopted
Mental health care improvements	Implement pilot for pre-deployment cognitive tests. Implement all recommendations of the Mental Health Care Task Force	Require computer-based cognitive assessment for members of the armed forces pre and post deployment.	Provision dropped, since DoD intends to implement. Requires report on implementation by 3/1/08
Civilianization of military medical positions	No similar provision.	Bar conversion after 10/1/07.	House provision adopted.
Health care for transitioning servicemembers	Authorize at least 3 years of active duty care for disability retirees. Allow combat vets 5 years (vs 2) of open enrollment for VA health care.	No similar provision	Senate provision adopted.
Seamless transition	DoD/VA to implement standard transition policy, require electronic DD-214, establish a pilot on a DoD/VA electronic health record.	Require a written transition plan for each member, with single DoD/VA separation physical, and electronic health record.	Senate provision adopted.
Family support programs for returning wounded	Allow emergency care and counseling for caregivers of seriously injured.	Study needs of families. Survey family satisfaction.	Combined House and Senate provisions

Non-Health Care Issues
Issue	Senate	House	Final Legislation
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Annuity	End deduction of VA survivor benefits from SBP annuities if service caused death, effective 10/1/07.	Provide a special survivor payment of up to $40 to survivors denied full SBP due to receipt of DIC.	House provision adopted except raises payment to $50 per month and covers only survivors of qualifying retirees and gray area reservists. Payment increased by $10/yr (reaching $100 in FY2014.
Paid-Up SBP Coverage	Implement 30-year, paid-up SBP coverage as of 10/1/07 (vs. 10/1/08 in current law).	No similar provision	Provision dropped
Concurrent Receipt for Disabled Retirees Deemed "Unemployable"	Implement full concurrent receipt retroactive to Jan. 1, 2005. (vs current date of Oct. 1, 2009.)	No similar provision	Senate provision adopted except precludes payments until 10/1/08, when members will be eligible for lump-sum retroactive to Jan 1, 2005
Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC)	Expand eligibility to all medically retired for combat disabilities before 20 years of service.	Cover medical retirees with 15+ years of service and at least 60% combat related disability	Senate provision adopted
Military pay raise	3.5% for active duty, Guard, and Reserve members on 1/1/07.	3.5% raise on 1/1/07. Authorize pay raises 0.5% points above private sector wages for FY09-FY12	Senate provision adopted
Military manpower levels	Increase USA by 13,000 and USMC by 9,000. Reduce USN by 12,300 and USAF by 5,600.	Similar USA and USMC numbers. Reduce USN strength by 11,602 and USAF by 4,367.	Combination of House and Senate provisions adopted
Guard/Reserve Retirement	Reduce retirement age by 3 months for each 90 days on active duty after 9-11-01. Change from 90 to 130 the amount of points earnable in one year.	No provision	Senate provision adopted, but credit authorized only for service rendered after date the new law is enacted.
Guard/Reserve GI Bill (MGIB)	Authorize Guard and Reserve members to use their mobilization earned GI Bill benefits up to 10 years after leaving service.	Sense of Congress for 10-year post service usage of reserve GI Bill. Recodify MGIB law under VA to ensure Guard/Reserve upgrades match active duty benefit.	Senate provision adopted.
Disability retirement system reform	DoD must use VA ratings and count all unfitting injuries.	Require case managers for members in disability process	Both House and Senate provisions adopted
Dependent education	Similar provision except authorize $45M plus $5M for schools serving disabled dependents.	Authorize $65M aid to schools serving military population, including those affected by BRAC.	Adopted House except authorizes $40M plus $5M for schools serving disabled dependents

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