Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Military Affairs and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 192 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge Congress to authorize funds for all members of the armed forces reserve to access the TRICARE program.

The State Department of Defense submitted testimony in favor of this measure.

Your Committees find that, under present law, members of the National Guard and Reserves receive one year of cost-share TRICARE health benefits for every ninety-day period of active duty. This benefit is well-intentioned but falls short in providing adequate medical readiness benefits for those on active duty. Maintaining unit readiness, particularly in the areas of medical and dental access, should be a high priority in preparing our National Guard and Reserves to meet deployment rotation scheduling. Additionally, this health care benefit would be a retention incentive as well as a recruitment tool.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Military Affairs and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 192 and recommend its adoption.