Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog

House & Senate Defense Bills – How They Could Affect You

Posted on May 29, 2016

Here is the full article from the Military Officers Association of America:

House and Senate Divide on Defense Bill

Here are the issues mentioned that would affect Navy physicians:

• For new entrants after 1 JAN 2018, and upon the first PCS after that date for those already serving, basic allowance for housing (BAH) would be calculated using the servicemember’s actual housing cost or the BAH rate, whichever is less.
• The bill proposes dividing the normal BAH rate by the number of BAH-eligible occupants, meaning dual military couples or roommates could receive a significantly smaller allowance.
• The committee also included proposals to change family leave policies. Servicemembers that are primary caregivers would receive six weeks of leave. Secondary caregivers would receive three weeks. This parental leave would be in addition to six weeks of convalescent leave allowed for a servicemember who gives birth.
• Establishing TRICARE Prime only in areas with Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs).
• Changing the name of TRICARE Standard to TRICARE Choice.
• Authorizing the treatment of veterans and civilians in MTFs as needed to maintain operational skills.
• Directing DoD to create a program to improve quality of care in MTFs.
• Promotion boards would be able to identify up to 20 percent of selectees as “top performers” to go to the top of promotion lists.
• The services will be authorized to give continuation pay to eligible servicemembers with eight to 12 years of service.
• The service secretaries will be able to designate specialties to allow officers to serve up to 40 years.