First Hand Accounts of Military Family Housing "Woes"

This military.com article outlines first hand experiences of military members experiences with family housing units.

To read more, click here.

Idaho Air National Guard Airmen return home to Gowen Field, Bois.

Relief for Veterans Having Trouble with Making VA Home Loan Payments Available

Special help is available to Veterans having trouble making mortgage payments on their VA loans due to COVID-19.

To read more, click here.

Associate Judge Pamela Woodcock Pfeiffer embraces a U.S. Army veteran after completing a program at the Veterans Treatment Court.

Air Force Academy begins COVID-19 Distanced Schooling

4,400 Cadets have returned to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado to begin classes for this academy year.

To read more, click here.

	AFSA on the Hill

	AFSA Obtains Copy of MHS Reform Opposition Memo Sent by Service Secretaries and Branch Chiefs to the Secretary of Defense; Transcription Provided Below As mentioned in the previous edition of our Military and Government Brief, on August 5th, the secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with the branch chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force, called for the return of all military hospitals and clinics already transferred to the DHA and suspension of any planned moves of personnel or resources. At the overarching level of analysis, these moves encompass the transition of the provision of healthcare from the independent services to the Defense Health Agency, the downsizing of Military Treatment Facilities (MTF's), and the elimination of approximately 18,000 medical billets. The opposition memo echoed many of the concerns held by our Legislative Team in reference to the proposed reforms to the MHS. A transcription of the memo is as follows: MEMORANDUM FOR SECRETARY OF DEFENSE SUBJECT: Military Medical Health System Reform 1. We are concerned about the transition of military medical treatment facilities (MTFs) and Service capabilities to the Defense Health Agency (DHA). After carefully evaluating the facts and assumptions on Military Health System (MHS) reform, coupled with the real-world test of contingency operations with the COVID-19 response, we have concluded the current plan ("Plan 3") for implementing NDAA 2017, Section 702 is not viable. The DHA end state, as designed, introduces barriers, creates unnecessary complexity, and increases inefficiencies and cost. At the same time, we recognize there is value in DHA providing well-coordinated policy to standardize clinical practice, experience of care, and shared services. 2. In order to support an agile coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic while simutaneously protection the Nation from other threats, integration of medical capabilities within our Services was required. Service command and control (C2) of the MTF's as military units, through our Direct Support, was critical to Commanders' operational response in managing requirements and swiftly adjusting resources across the enterprise. 3. Alignment of research and development, public health, and medical logistics within each Military Department (MILDEP) allowed the Services to rapidly assess risks and threats to unique forces, develop requirements, procure and distribute necessary equipement to units and installations, and coordinate with our Sister Services, the Joint Staff, and interagency partners. 4. The benefits of DHA were realized in well-coordinated policy to develop standardized clinical practices and experience of care during COVID-19 response. DHA was instrumental in promulgating best practices (e.g., drive-through pharmacy operations), in providing consistent strategic communication to inform stakeholders and beneficiaries, and in coordinating shared services for MTFs. 5. However, the proposed DHA end-state represents unsustainable growth with a disparate intermediate structure that hinders coordination of Service medical responses to contingency operations, such as a pandemic. It was the Services' legacy structures that provided the streamlined C2, communication, and the stability required for execution of plans and deployment of medical forces. 6. For the way ahead we request the following: a. The Department take no further actions to restart transition of the MTFs and impose a blanket suspension of all transition activities concerned with NDAA 2017, Section 702, Section 703, and any other related provisions which impact the MTFs. This includes pausing any further transfers of personnel or resources from the Services to the DHA headquarters of intermediate management organizations (Markets), and issuance of additional DHA policies or procedures. b. Acknowledge that Plan 3 and the associated intermediate management construct (e.g., markets) is not a valid end state for the MHS transition. c. Direct the MILDEPS establish and lead a work group to provide you courses of action with associated concept plan within 45 days of the date of this memorandum. Courses of action will include proposed legislative language should it be required for implementation of the concept plan. d. All MTFs that have transferred to the DHA, to include Fort Belvoir Community Hosptial and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Bethesda, return to their respective Services until you determine the best course of action. 7. We look forward to working together to achieve successful reform of the MHS. Where We Go From Here: Monitoring the reconfiguration of the Military Healthcare System has remained a top priority of our Legislative Team and will continue to remain as such as more developments unfold. To the knowledge of the public, this is the first coordinated effort on behalf of all the independent services to make a universal request in urging the Department of Defense to reconsider its facility realignment plans. At this moment in time, we are vigilantly awaiting a potential response to these requests and analysis of the current status of "Phase 3" from the Secretary of Defense. Parallel to that potential response, our team is also advocating for the adoption of Sections 715 and 716 in the FY2021 NDAA; which, in its simplest form, would codify in law the further halting of the transitioning of these facilities and prevent the elimination of up to 18,000 medical billets. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to AFSA's Policy Advisor, Matthew Schwartzman, at mschwartzman@hqafsa.org. *AFSA Monitors DoDEA's Announcement Regarding Fall Reopening of Schools during COVID-19* This morning, AFSA's Policy Advisor, Military Affairs, Bria Coles, monitored a briefing provided by Thomas Brady, director of the Department of Education Activity, Jonathan Rath Hoffman, assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs, to address the reopening of DoD schools during COVID-19. In short, the DoD currently has 160 schools worldwide, containing 70,000 students total. After working with local installation commanders and communities, Director Brady has decided to open 113 DoD schools for in-person instruction. 46 schools will participate in either remote learning or virtual academia. In a remote learning environment, students will receive synchronous classroom instruction via Zoom and Google classroom, with the expectation of eventually returning in-person. Virtual learning curriculum is specifically designed to be completed on the computer and is more student driven. The Grab n' Go lunch program that was initiated for children dependent on school meals will continue to be provided, at no cost, for those participating in remote and virtual learning. The DoDEA is also looking to make accommodations available for the students of parents not teleworking to ensure they are able to readily access their education benefit. The full-length recording of this event has been made publicly available on Facebook and Twitter at https://www.facebook.com/DeptofDefense/ and https://twitter.com/DeptofDefense. *TRICARE Expanding Services to Officer Free Physical Therapy for Lower Back Pain (LBP) in 10 States* Do you have lower back pain? Are you enrolled in a TRICARE health plan? If so, this message is for you! The Director of the Defense Health Agency (DHA) has approved the creation of a pilot program to further assist TRICARE beneficiaries who tragically suffer from lower back pain (LBP). In short, to "incentivize beneficiaries towards higher-value care and away from lower-value care", cost-sharing will be waived for up to three physical therapy (PT) visits for patients with LBP. To be eligible, beneficiaries must have a primary diagnosis of LBP, reside and receive PT services in one of the selected demonstration states, and be referred by a TRICARE-authorized provider to receive PT services currently covered by TRICARE. The following states have been selected as demonstration states: Arizona California Colorado Florida Georgia Kentucky North Carolina Ohio Tennessee Virginia According to the published rule on the Federal Register, these states were selected due to "their high TRICARE retiree population" and to "create a comprehensive representation throughout the United States". If the demonstration yields successful results, it is likely that it will be rolled out to the entire TRICARE population. To view the policy in full, please click here. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to our Legislative Team at milgov3@hqafsa.org.

	Legislative Action Center

	*Focus from the Field: TRICARE Select Enrollment Fees - An Overview* From the majority of members who engaged in our "Share your Story" survey platform, it was apparent that many were concerned about the notices they've received from TRICARE regarding TRICARE Select enrollment fees. Our legislative team has been in contact with leading Defense Health Agency (DHA) officials to learn more about what beneficiaries can expect and when (tentatively) they can expect it. According to DHA, the key points for the Prospective TRICARE Select Enrollment Fees for Group A Retirees campaign are as follows: Effective Jan. 1, 2021, TRICARE Select Group A retired beneficiaries will be required to pay TRICARE Select enrollment fees. This must be done via allotment, where feasible. This is a change. TRICARE Select Group A retired beneficiaries have not paid enrollment fees for TRICARE Select previously. This fee also applies to TRICARE Overseas Program Select Group A retired beneficiaries. Enrollment fees are waived for Chapter 61 retirees and their family members and survivors of deceased ADSMs. There is no change for TRICARE Select Group B beneficiaries, they currently pay enrollment fees. ADFMs in group A and B do not pay TRICARE Select enrollment fees. In order to maintain health care coverage, TRICARE Select Group A retired beneficiaries must take action and pay their TRICARE Select enrollment fees. During TRICARE Open Season, beneficiaries can set up an allotment for enrollment fees with their regional contractor. Beneficiaries who don't set up their TRICARE Select enrollment fee payment by Jan. 1, 2021 will be dis-enrolled from TRICARE Select due to non-payment. Beneficiaries will have 90 days from their termination date to request reinstatement. If they don't take action, beneficiaries will only be able to get care from a military hospital or clinic if space is available (i.e. all civilian healthcare costs will be there full responsibility). On Thursday, our team will unveil an advocacy campaign with a cohesive plan of action to attempt to modify these proposed changes to ensure that beneficiaries are not negatively impacted in any financial or health-oriented sense. Not too long ago, the Military Health System (MHS) and Defense Health Agency Communications division unveiled the latest "Take Command" toolkit for TRICARE Select Enrollment Fees for Group A Retirees. To access the toolkit for more information, please click here. Please stay tuned to our Military and Government Brief and Legislative Action Alerts released via social media for more information. If you have any additional questions on this issue, please e-mail our team at milgov3@hqafsa.org.

AFSA Membership Information

AFSA is proud to host the FIRST-EVER VIRTUAL PROFESSIONAL AIRMEN'S CONFERENCE to support and educate participants on the issues affecting the active duty, veteran and retired military members and their families.

During the Virtual Conference, important focus is placed on governance, military education, quality-of-life support, national security, and to improving and increasing individual capabilities through access to education, training, networking and motivational opportunities.

Here, we have the unique pleasure to introduce you to past and present military leadership as part of our professional development forum, and prestigious awards ceremony.

Each Professional Development Speaker and Honored Guest provides a rich insight to the Air Force's past, present and future. Moreover, these forums continue to build on the strong, solid foundation of activism, education and support for our Total Enlisted Corps and their families.

For more information at the 2020 Virtual Professional Airmen's Conference and Virtual Professional Education & Development Symposium, please click here.

Renew your AFSA Membership Today!

Founded in 1961, the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) legislates, advocates and educates America's elected, military and community leaders in support of the quality of life for our 100,000 military members and their families.

AFSA continues to work long and hard to ensure the many benefit reductions being proposed are minimized or nullified. And, your membership will continue to pay dividends in terms of fair and equitable pay increases, retirement programs, educational benefits, and affordable and available health care.

For more information on the value that lies in an AFSA membership, please click here.

If your membership is up for renewal, please click on the "EZ-Renew" button at the bottom of this newsletter.

	And that's the way it is...

	In sum, our team remains laser-focused on all legislative activities as they're happening LIVE. This week, there are no committee hearings currently scheduled as members of the House and Senate prepare to travel back to their districts for their district working periods. Despite the President's signing of a series of Executive Orders totaling upwards of $100 billion with the intent of seeking to provide COVID-19 relief to the American people, a Congressional appropriations relief package remains as a top priority for negotiators. Our team is still awaiting the public release of the list of conferees for the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act. Once that information is disseminated through the proper channels, our legislative team will unveil concrete steps to mobilize the members of our grassroots advocacy team to ensure the security, enhancement, and creation of quality of life benefits impacted our service members past and present and their families. Thank you to all of the advocates who participated in our Share Your Story Campaign where we asked you to share your experiences on how TRICARE Select Enrollment fees would potentially impact your quality of life. If you haven't Shared Your TRICARE Select Enrollment Fee story, please visit our legislative action center NOW! And that's the way it is for Thursday, August 13th, 2020. Stay tuned for our next M&G-B, where we will continue to keep you in the loop on all things pertinent to the coronavirus, veterans, active-duty members, guard and reservists, and military family members. Stay happy, and stay healthy!