Page 10 - 37973-G-01_NERA_Mariner_Vo64_No1

LEGISLATIVE AND BENEFIT UPDATES

Credit: Architect of the Capitol LEGISLATIVE and BENEFIT

UPDATES Spring Mariner 2021

By Michael P. Hughes, OSC, USNR (ret.)

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and Defense
Appropriations for FY 2021
The most important legis- n Adds bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and
lative happening is the pas- Parkinson's to the list of conditions linked to Agent
sage of the FY 2021 NDAA. Orange exposure for presumption for compensation
Congress overrode the and pension determinations by the Department of
President's veto on January Veterans Affairs.
1, 2021 with the Senate finalizing the veto override. n Includes greater access to child care, better spousal
employment measures, military housing protection
The legislation is 1,500 pages and we continue to read and improvements and improved Exceptional Member
assess it. Following are the main highlights of the enacted Program (EFMP) and TRICARE Extended Health
legislation: Care Options (ECHO).
n A 3% military pay raise.
n Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP) raised from There are no TRICARE increases in fees or co-pays
$250 to $275 per month with expanded parity included in this legislation. The TRICARE Select Group
between active and reserve pay. A fees that started on January 1, 2021 were enacted in
n Requires a temporary halt to planned to military the FY 2017 NDAA over the objection of NERA and
medical billets and reorganization plans to reduce our partners of The Military Coalition. This was fully
retiree access to military treatment facilities for 180 addressed in the previous Winter 2020 Mariner in this
days. It requires submission of additional reports to column.
Congress before taking any further actions.

Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Armed Services and
Veterans Affairs Committees
The new Congress has convened after the elections and the following are the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Armed
Services and Veterans Affairs Committees for the new Congress:

n Senate Armed Services Committees n Senate Veterans Affairs Committees
Chairman- Jack Reed (Democrat) RI Chairman- Jon Tester (Democrat) MT
Ranking Member- James Inhofe (Republican) OK Ranking Member- Jerry Moran (Republican) KS

n House Armed Services Committee n House Veterans Affairs Committees
Chairman- Adam Smith (Democrat) WA Chairman- Mark Takano (Democrat) CA
Ranking Member- Mike Rogers (Republican) AL Ranking Member- Mike Bost (Republican) IL

As always NERA continues to follow and represent our members with Congress, Department
of Defense and Veterans Affairs to protect and promote the benefits and compensa-
tion earned by our members. If you have specific questions or concerns please contact
me by email at [email protected] or by calling me on my cell phone at 1-443-812-9591.

10 The Mariner • 2020 WINTER Edition • Volume 63 • Issue 3