HIGHLIGHTS OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 4205  FY2001 DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL Health care: The bill restores pharmacy access to all Medicare-eligible military retirees, and paves the way toward a permanent healthcare program for military retirees over age 65 in 2004. A provision also extends TRICARE Prime Remote coverage to family members and eliminates co-payments for active-duty family members under TRICARE Prime. Pay raise: The bill calls for a 3.7 percent military pay raise effective Jan. 1, 2001. Housing costs: Funding to reduce out-of-pocket housing costs for service members to less than 15 percent. Targeted subsistence benefit: Up to $500 per month allocated to assist the most economically challenged service members. Special pays and bonuses: An increase of the initial officer uniform allowance from $200 to $400. And an increase in the maximum special duty assignment pay to $600 per month beginning Oct. 1, 2001. Reserve retirement points: The bill would increase the maximum number of days per year reservists can accrue as credit toward retirement benefits from 75 to 90. Enlistment and reenlistment bonuses: Of the additional $217.6 million added by the House bill for recruiting and retention, $153.7 million is allotted for bonuses. The Air Force share of this will be $36.5 million, with the Army receiving the largest share, at $50 million. A provision will authorize enlistment bonuses of up to $20,000 and extend the authorities for enlistment bonuses for active-duty people with critical skills, selected reserve, ready reserve and prior service reservists through Dec. 31, 2001. ROTC stipend: A provision is included to increase the monthly minimum stipend paid to Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets from $200 to $250, and authorizes a tiered set of stipends, up to a monthly maximum of $600. In addition to addressing pay and quality of life initiatives, the House bill also provides funding for various Air Force modernization and readiness programs. The bill provides an additional $94 million - a total of $142.3 million - for modification of the B-2 Spirit fleet. The additional funds will enhance the Spirit's capabilities to carry small "smart" munitions, and development of a center instrument display. Additionally, funding is provided for procuring 12 C-17 Globemasters. The House also allotted funds for a 16th E-8C JSTARS aircraft, one of the Air Force chief of staff's unfunded requirements. Other aircraft targeted: F-15 Eagle: Funding is provided for modifications and upgrades as well as two additional F-15E aircraft. F-22 Raptor: The House supports the president's request for $1.4 billion for research and development; $2.1 billion for 10 low-rate initial production aircraft, and $396.1 million for advance procurement of 16 LRIP aircraft in fiscal 2002. Joint Strike Fighter: The House added an additional $15 million above the president's request to accelerate development and flight-testing of the aircraft. However, the House stipulates a provision limiting the JSF program's approval beyond the demonstration and validation phase until the defense secretary certifies the JSF's key technologies are mature enough to allow entry into engineering manufacturing and development. Home Page  MILITARYREPORT.com Sign Up  Contact MILITARYREPORT.com Current MILITARYREPORT.com  Previous Reports  Archives