Breaking News

The Lame Duck Session Of Congress Begins, Here's What To Expect 

After a long recess that began in September, both houses of the 118th Congress will return on Nov. 12 for its final session. It’s the first time the legislature will convene after general elections on Nov. 5, in which Republicans gained control of the Senate in the 119th Congress that takes office on Jan. 3, 2025. 

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Military Suicides Rose In 2023, Continuing Upward Trend Pentagon Sees As 'Real Change'

Suicides increased among U.S. military personnel last year, an ongoing trend Pentagon officials say they plan to address with a $125 million investment in prevention and mental health programs next year.

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What To Know About Tricare Costs And Changes As Open Season Starts

It’s that time of year when you can make changes to your military health care plan. The Tricare open season runs through Dec. 10. Some Tricare beneficiaries are also eligible for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, or FEDVIP. That program’s open season ends on Dec. 9. 

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AFSA On The Hill

LEGISLATIVE NEWS | On our Radar this week.

Legislative Update |

The Elizabeth Dole Act has just passed the House and is on its way to the Senate.

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Send a message to your Senator now:

https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/109556/Respond

Legislative Action Center

Support the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act of 2023!

Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/107499/Respond

Legislation Summary

• Modifies the extension of dependent coverage under TRICARE by allowing a dependent at the age of 26 to be covered without an additional premium.  
• Authorizes such coverage of dependents without a premium regardless of whether they are eligible to enroll in an employer-sponsored plan.

Support the Mental Health For Military Children Act!

Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/107509/Respond

Legislation Summary

• Would direct the DoD to establish a pilot program to provide routine mental health screenings or check-ups for common disorders for children ages 3-17, including questions about patients' mood, emotional state, habits, and behaviors.
• To ensure that children of military families who are at a greater risk for mental and behavioral health problems than the general population, have access to mental health screenings and check-ups at Department of Defense Education Activity schools (DoDEA). 

Support the Revisit Pay Equity Act!

Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/107467/Respond

Legislation Summary

• Increases the rate of the differential wage payment tax credit from 20% to 50% and requires that the maximum dollar amount of such credit be adjusted for inflation after 2023. 
• The credit is allowed to employers for their employees who are active duty members of the uniformed services. 

Support the Military Spouse Hiring Act!

Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/103707/Respond

Legislation Summary

• The Military Spouse Hiring Act would encourage companies to employ military spouses, who frequently face disproportionate impediments in the job market, by extending the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include them. 
• Intends to help military spouses find better work opportunities. 

Support the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act!

Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/93860/Respond

Legislation Summary

• Authorizes veterans with a service-connected disability of less than 50% to concurrently receive both retired pay and disability compensation. 
• Makes qualified disability retirees with less than 20 years of retirement-creditable service eligible for concurrent receipt, subject to specified reductions in retired pay.

Support the Major Richard Star Act!

Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/93862/Respond

Legislation Summary

• Qualify approximately 42,000 military retirees with combat-related injuries to concurrently receive both military retired pay and Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation. 
• Provide total offset relief to veterans who suffered combat injuries or illnesses who were medically retired with less than twenty years of service.

Support the Retired Pay Restoration Act!

Link to Advocacy Campaign: https://www.votervoice.net/AFSA/Campaigns/92798/Respond

Legislation Summary

• Allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability.
• Extends full concurrent receipt eligibility to individuals who were retired or separated after at least 20 years of military service due to a service-connected disability.

If you have any questions, please reach out to AFSA's Military and Government Relations team at milgov3@hqafsa.org.

Have you called to verify, update, and correct your membership contact information? If you received a postcard asking you to call in, please take a few moments to call to update your info, and learn about the AFSA Oral Historical Project 2023. Learn more here now... 

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Please Update Your Contact Information Today!

Dear Air Force Sergeants Association Member,

In order for the AFSA to effectively communicate with our members, it is essential to ensure we have your current and / or valid e-mail address. 
 
We are in the process of updating our records and need your help! Please take a moment to ensure that we have your most current mail and email address (no .mil's); and accurate membership listing information.

We've made it easy, as you can update your information in either one of three ways: 

1. Call Member & Field Relations team directly at 800-638-0594 x 288 (Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST)
2. Email to: msvcs@hqafsa.org
3. Visit www.hqafsa.org and select the UPDATE button on the right

We thank you in advance for your support and prompt updates.

And That's The Way It Is...

In sum, the balance of power in either house will not shift until January, with Democrats maintaining a working majority in the Senate until the end of 2024. However, during such a session, Congress is often referred to as a "lame duck," as a new electoral mandate is clear. Furthermore, the Senate's makeup will shift nearly immediately when several new electees enter the chamber. 

These include Sen.-elect and current Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who won a general and special election to the Senate seat previously held by the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The special election, mandated by state law, will fill the remaining months of Feinstein's term in the 118th Congress, with Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), the interim appointee to that seat, leaving the body accordingly.

Additionally, the suicide rate for active-duty soldiers increased to 28.2 per 100,000 members in 2023, up from 25.1 the previous year, according to new Pentagon data released on Thursday. That year-over-year increase is not statistically significant, but when compared to the previous 12 years, it demonstrates long-term "real change," defense officials said. "We continue to find a modest, statistically significant increase in active component suicide rates between 2011 and 2023. This indicates that it is most likely a true change. To put it another way, there is a low likelihood that this change is attributable to natural variation or chance," Liz Clark, head of the Defense Suicide Prevention Office, told reporters Thursday in a conference call.

Lastly, as you select which plan is best for you, keep in mind that some fees may increase. TriWest Healthcare Alliance, a new contractor, will take over for the Tricare West Region on January 1. Humana Military, the current East Region contractor, will remain the same. Check the online Humana or TriWest provider directories to discover if your health care providers are part of the network.

And that's the way it is for Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

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, guards and reservists, and military family members. Stay happy, and stay healthy!