By John Fedele

In 1954 I signed a contract with the United States Air Force.

I was promised a retirement based upon my years of service…20 years or more, and free medical care for me and my dependents for life…which upon retirement my spouse and I.

Since then, I was forced to buy Medicare Part B, and last week I discovered the 2013 budget would require me to pay for my “free medical for life.” As a family, we will have to pay an annual enrollment fee of $840, and will increase each year. Originally it was to be a percentage of the COLA raise I would receive. That now has been changed, and it appears the yearly increase will be based on the medical inflation rate, which is usually higher than the COLA increase. That means my annual enrollment fee is estimated to go from $850 in 2013 to $2,048 by 2017.

This figure is based upon my retirement pay. I am a bit upset, but I can image how more upset the officer corps must be.

But here’s the real kick in the groin: Retired civilian union members of the military will not be affected.

So, I would hope every retired military member would get on Twitter, Facebook, and make their opinion heard.

Letters to their senators and congressmen, and maybe a petition on Twitter to get congress to change that part of the Defense Department Budget that messes with their “free” medical for life.

 

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