Thank you for reviewing the chat. Below is our May chat with CDR René Campos USN (Ret), our Military Family/Spouse lobbyist and policy expert. She answered questions ranging from spouse employment to family support and quality of life programs. Each month one MOAA lobbyist will be available to discuss issues with the 110th Congress. Please join us in June when Col Steve Strobridge, director of Government Relations will be answering your questions.
View February Chat
View March Chat
View April Chat
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 René Campos joined the MOAA staff, October 1, 2004 as the Deputy Director, Government Relations, Military Family Matters. She began her 30-year career as a Photographer's Mate, enlisting in the Navy in 1973 and was commissioned a naval officer in 1982. Her subspecialties included manpower and personnel and financial management. Duty assignments included public affairs, recruiting, and personnel policy. Her last assignment was at the Pentagon as the Associate Director, Office of Family Policy in the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, Military Personnel and Family Policy. She has a BA in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Columbia College and an MBA in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.
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Disclaimer: MOAA moderators retain editorial control over live online discussions and choose the most relevant questions to answer for members.
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Rene': Let me start off today's chat by saying it is such a privilege to be your representative on the Hill here at MOAA on Military Family Matters. There is nothing more rewarding to me than to continue serving military members and their families--a passion I am truly committed to.
I'm also happy to report to you the House Military Construction and Veterans' Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee just approved $109.2 billion. You may remember the spending bill stalled and never got passed last year. In addition to providing the largest increase in funding for veterans health care, the bill provides an $8.2 billion increase over fiscal year 2007 for military construction, family housing and BRAC--all good news for military families.
Now, don't be shy, I can't wait to hear from you.
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(12:03) Doug W.: What is your list of top 5 bills? What are the most important ones that you are working?
Rene: Doug, there are enough that it's tough to limit it to just five, but if we had to, based on the potential "bang for the buck" for the whole membership, the list would probably be:
- S. 604/HR579 (protect against disproportional Tricare fee increases);
- S. 935/HR 1927 (SBP fixes);
- S. 439/HR 333 (concurrent receipt)
- The Military Pay Comparability provisions of HR1585;
- Pre-tax Payment of Health Premiums (S773/HR1110)
But cutting the list that short short-changes some other things that are among the most active on our agenda, such as initiatives to reduce the Reserve retirement age.
As MOAA's family advocate, I've been working closely with the Department of Defense (D0D) and the House and the Senate on a number of other initiatives, including tax incentives for employers of military spouses, Military Family Leave Act, and other family support and quality of life program improvements for all beneficiary populations. I also monitor closely the Commissary and Exchange benefit and how DoD transformation, particularly rebasing and base realignment and closure initiatives impact military beneficiaries.
With 8 full-time lobbyists, MOAA is working lots of priorities constantly, so limiting it to five doesn't really do justice to what we're covering.
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(12:06) Daniel S.: What are you doing for spouses?
Rene: Since we changed our name 5 years ago, MOAA has added two additional support positions to our staff -- my position as a lobbyist for spouse and family issues here in the Government Relations Department and Sue Hoppin in our Benefits Information Department to promote legislative advocacy and military spouse and family outreach throughout the military community.
One of our most exciting initiatives to date is a Military Spouse Symposium that is planned for Thursday, June 21, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Check out the link below for more info on the symposium.
www.moaa.org/spousesymposium
Another initiative I plan to launch this year is a simple to use Legislative Action Guide that will be full of information and tools to help spouses and military members stay informed and engaged on the issues that affect them.
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(12:09) Stephanie S.: What is going on with spouse employment?
Rene: Military spouse employment is one of MOAA's major military spouse issues this year. MOAA is in the process of establishing a Military Spouse Council that will not only serve as special advisors to the President and MOAA staff, but will be an outreach and advocacy network to promote MOAA goals, including encouraging legislative activism.
On the legislative front, we're working with Congress to promote legislation (soon to be introduced) that would offer tax incentives to employers who hire military spouses. We're also working with states to encourage state law updates that offer unemployment compensation to spouses who are forced to leave their jobs as a result of their military spouse's PCS orders. That would recognize that they didn't leave their jobs voluntarily, but had to do so to follow government orders.
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(12:13) Tonya: I like that I can transfer my SBP to my kids if my husband was to die, but won't I lose that when they turn 18 or something?
Rene: Correct, if you transfer your SBP to your kids that payment will cease when they turn 18 -- or 23 depending on if they are in school. We are working on legislation that would end the SBP/DIC offset completely, so you would be able to receive both benefits and not have to worry about transferring or ultimately losing SBP. We're hopeful of at least some incremental progress.
http://www.moaa.org/lac/lac_update/lac_update_070511.htm
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(12:17) Joe T.: Every time I go to the commissary the prices aren't really that competitive. Can MOAA do something about lowering the prices?
Rene: MOAA is working very hard to make sure the commissary remains a strong and viable benefit. As a member of The Military Coalition (TMC), I represent MOAA as the Co-Chair of the TMC Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR), Military Construction and Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Committee. Last year I testified at an a House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel concerning MWR and Resale Activities, highlighting our concerns about how vulnerable these vital programs are because of the additional costs and challenges of war and military transformation.
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(12:21) Patrick R.: If I die on active duty is my family covered with TRICARE? What do they have to pay?
Rene: The children do maintain TRICARE coverage at the Active Duty Family Member rates until age 21 or 23 (if in school). The spouse maintains TRICARE at the ADFM rates for three years and then has to pay at the retiree rates. The spouse keeps their TRICARE coverage as long as they maintain TRICARE eligibility.
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(12:25) Billy K.: I have seen a lot of information about transitions for servicemembers that are injured. Does any of this info include how this will affect a family? Is MOAA pushing for more education with the family, not just the servicemember?
Rene: Absolutely Billy, we recognize that the family of an injured service member goes through a great deal, struggling with the realities of the situation, the anxiety, confusion, frustration of not understanding the system, what benefits their loved one is entitled to, where to go to seek and find help. Many pieces of legislation we are working include support and education for the family which we feel is just as important as education for the servicemember.
Both DoD and the VA recognize that families need help and support too, they are educating families as much as possible.
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(12:28) Cindy S.: What happens to a family who has a husband with PTSD….is there anything we can do to help? Any classes? Anything the government is doing to help with the process?
Rene: Yes and it is important you do help. Go to google and type in PTSD and you will get 1000 plus hits. Each provides insights to recognizing PTSD in yourself and others. Educate yourself about the disorder so you understand that it is a normal reaction to the death and destruction service members witness and not a disorder claimed by people who can't handle war. Your understanding and support will contribute significantly to recovery. We need to educate society and remember we still don't understand the diagnosis completely and research is on going and we are learning more everyday. Both DoD and the VA are struggling with the problem of early diagnosis and treatment, we need to do more and better. MOAA continues to highlight our concerns and through legislation is requiring more attention be paid to PTSD.
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(12:31)Erin S.: Are there incentive bill\programs for older military widows who need to re-enter employment?
Rene: There are no specific bills or programs that I am aware of that are aimed at older military widows. However, as a MOAA auxiliary member, we have a number of services for members of all ages in our Career Placement Center to help in re-entering the workforce, including resume critiques. If the military widow's servicemember died of service connected causes, she may be entitled to veterans education benefits. I suggest you contact your regional VA office or visit www.va.gov to find out more information.
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(12:35) Rosemary S.: I saw the spouse symposium on your website, what is that all about?
Rene: Rosemary glad to hear you are interested, we have been working pretty hard on this for a few months. Check out the link below for more information, hope to see you there.
http://www.moaa.org/spousesymposium
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(12:38) Mike H.: I tried to go to the chow hall the other day and couldn't because I am a retiree, what's next?
Rene: We are aware that some installations are curtailing services (access to dinning facilities, base libraries, fitness centers etc.) for servicemembers and retirees due to budgetary constraints. We have relayed our concerns to the Armed Service staffers, now is certainly not the time to cut benefits.
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(12:41) Douglas D.: I recently heard that the last appropriations bill approved permanent ID's for disabled dependants. No one I call has heard of this yet or what I need to do to get my permanent card. Can you give me advice?
Rene: There is no word yet concerning the implementation process/time table for providing permanent ID cards to disabled adult dependents of military retirees or what the required documentation will be necessary. But you are correct that is was signed into law last year. In all honestly it's not a huge surprise that it is taking this long, hopefully we will have something by the end of the year.
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(12:45)Bernice W.: I am not eligible for the TRICARE because after 12 years of becoming a widow, I remarried which did not last. I feel I earned it for all the reasons a military wife has what does MOAA think about this?
Rene: For 2007, MOAA, along with the Military Coalition, seek legislation to reinstate TRICARE benefits for remarried widows when the second marriage ends. Check out the goals list below.
http://www.themilitarycoalition.org/Testimony/committeegoals/healthcare.htm.
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(12: 49) Linda T.: I have heard that congress may cut the budget for Retirees and that the health insurance will be for the service member only. Is this a possibility? If so, is it in the near future-like six months? Or would it take at least a year.
Rene: Linda in recent years the administration and DoD have proposed raising TRICARE fees for retirees but has not proposed eliminating TRICARE. The House version of the defense bill this year would bar any increase but we are still waiting to hear what the Senate will say.
I have attached the legis update for more detailed information on the increase and what may happen.
http://www.moaa.org/lac/lac_update/lac_update_070511.htm
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(12:53)Christina M.: My husband is a reservist deployed to Iraq. We don't live near a military base so I don't have access to child care services. Is MOAA doing anything to help Guard and Reserve families with child care?
Rene': Absolutely I recently met with Department of Defense and Military Services Children and Youth Program managers to find out what we could do to help. Funding for child care and school age programs for Guard and Reserve were at the top of their list. In recent testimony we have highlighted the need to increase these funds. MOAA has also kept the House and Senate Armed Services Committees apprised of cuts or issues we are hearing in the field to keep these important program visible on the Hill.
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(12:56) Jack A.: Why is In-State Tuition rates for military families differ from state to state.
Rene': Individual states have jurisdiction over in-state tuition rates and not the federal government. There are only about 5 states left in the U.S. that do not provide some sort of in-state tuition for military members or their families. MOAA has been working with DoD at the federal level and many of our Councils and Chapters continue to push for standardization of in-state tuition rate policy for all states.
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(12:59) Libby K.: I get anxious and sometimes upset when I hear DoD or the military come up with policies that don't help military families or when they talk about how important military families are, yet all around me I see programs on bases being cut. What can I do to let stop this without hurting my husband's career?
Rene': Libby, you bring up a very good issue and question--one we are hearing a lot more of from military families just like you. Here are a few suggestions;
- Know the issues and contact your Reps when needed
- Sign up for our update to help with the education process
- Find other military spouses and/or families to also what to get engaged on these important issues at the local and federal level
- Most importantly, contact me and let me know what you are seeing and hearing at your local level so I can stay on top of the issues and work those things that are important to you and your family.
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Rene': It looks like the hour is up, thanks for joining me and please don't forget to tell you coworkers, family, chapters, anybody with a computer about these chats. We hope that these monthly chats help to educate you on MOAA but also on policy that might affect you.
Thanks again, have a great Memorial Day weekend and be safe!
