Commission calls for abolishing Tricare

By Patricia Kime, Staff writer

The congressional commission has recommended a complete overhaul of the military health system — one that does away with Tricare, changes the medical command structure and seeks to improve Defense Department coordination with Veterans Affairs.

The goal of the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission’s recommendations, according to its final report released Thursday, is to preserve the quality of combat care that saved many troops’ lives in Iraq and Afghanistan but also improve access to health treatment for those who use the system.

Read the report: Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission

Under the recommendations, active-duty members and mobilized reserve component members still would receive medical care from the U.S. military, with easier access to specialty care in the civilian sector if they need it.

But their family members, and retirees under 65 and their family members, would receive health care through commercial insurers, similar to the plans run under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program.