Received my first press release today:GAO on BRAC

Imagine my surprise when I received an e-mail from Brian Martin in Representative Gene Taylor's office.

From : Martin, Brian
Sent : Wednesday, May 18, 2005 9:48 AM
To : navarone1978@hotmail.com
Subject : BRAC & Keesler



I noticed your blog and your comments about the DOD proposal to end inpatient services at Keesler.
Here is Congressman Taylor's full statement, from which the Sun Herald used one quote:
Link
Brian Martin
Office of Rep. Gene Taylor

Imagine my greater surprise when I received a press release later!!

Here goes, my first quasi-journalistic posting!!

Representative Gene Taylor, who is the Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Projection Forces Subcommittee, proposed an amendment to the FY2006 National Defense Authorization Act that would require an evaluation of the full costs and effects of the changes to the military health care system recommended by the Department of Defense.

The amendment would instruct the Government Accountability Office to calculate the out-pocket expenses that would be incurred by active duty service members, military retirees, and their dependents if forced to rely on civilian facilities for health care.

It further instructs the GAO to assess and itemize the total costs that would be shifted to Tricare, and other agencies of federal, state and local governments.


It also asks the GAO to consider the effects of BRAC proposals on retention and recruitment of military medical personnel.

The GAO is further required to separate and estimate the savings or costs from reducing the number of personnel from the savings or costs that will come from infrastructure, facilities, and any other aspects of closure or realignment.

representative Taylor states:

"Now, I'm looking at numbers for the 2005 BRAC that just don't add up. There are no cuts in end strength or force numbers, but there are billions of dollars slated for new construction when troops are forced to relocate. It's my responsibility to demand honest answers from an impartial source, without the smoke and mirrors I get from the Pentagon"

This amendment received the support of House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA)and was passed in Committee by a voice vote. It will now be included in the FY2006 National Defense Authorization Act, which the full House will consider next week.

Full Press Release