SUPPORT YOUR GREATER CLEVELAND MOAA CHAPTER

Transcription

1 GREATER CLEVELAND CHAPTER THE MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA ARMY NAVY AIR FORCE MARINES COAST GUARD NOAA -- PHS OCTOBER 2013 NEWSLETTER AUBURNDALE DRIVE CHAGRIN FALLS, OH FIRST CLASS DATED MATERIAL October 17 Meeting Fischer House Cleveland Presentation GREATER CLEVELAND CHAPTER MOAA - BENEFITS AND PROGRAMS Supports our National Organization with Active Members. Provides an opportunity for Active, Reserve, National Guard, and Retired Personnel, and Spouses and Widows\Widowers to socialize and make common cause. Provides each year a $1,000 college scholarship to a deserving Junior ROTC senior. Provides an opportunity to hear speakers on topics of national and military interest. Provides a monthly newsletter with Chapter news and news of military interest to Chapter including those unable to attend meetings. Offers an opportunity for members to create programs to benefit local military personnel and their families and relatives. Offers an opportunity for members to exercise their leadership in support of active and retired military personnel and their families to meet their needs in competition with opponents of such programs. SUPPORT YOUR GREATER CLEVELAND MOAA CHAPTER

2 Greater Cleveland Chapter M.O.A.A. North Coast Military News October 2013 FROM THE PRESIDENT I hope everyone enjoyed themselves at our 50 th anniversary gala dinner; I know I did. The turnout was nothing short of amazing. Thank you to those who took time out of their busy schedule to help us celebrate and enjoy some good old fashioned camaraderie. A Welcome Aboard to USAF Col. (R) Brian Anderson, USA LTC (R) Scott Bartley, USA Maj. (R) Edward Hazel, USN Cdr. (R) Frank Loiacono, USN Cpt. (R) James (Terry) Mann, and USAF Maj. (R) Craig Scott who become chapter members. To those who have not yet mailed in their membership application, I encourage you to put it in the mail today so you can be part of the Greater Cleveland Chapter and help our organization continue to do big things. At our October 17 th meeting we will have Mr. Rich Deshantz speak to us about the Fischer House that is planned for the Greater Northeast Ohio area. This facility would be available to currently serving active duty and veterans along with their family members. I have no doubt that this will be a very informative presentation. I encourage you to make an extra effort to attend. Our November 14 th meeting will have a guest speaker from DFAS. This should also be a very informative presentation. I hope to see as many members as possible at both of the above presentations. As we approach the new year we will be seeking members to fill various positions of leadership from the President on down. We will be seeking nominations at our Christmas Party in December. In order for the Greater Cleveland Chapter to continue to be relevant we must have members who are willing to take the reins of leadership and be good stewards. Please consider accepting one of these positions. I look forward to seeing everyone at the October 17 th meeting at the Holiday Inn. Sincerely, F. P. DiMarco, President MOAA MEMBERSHIP About a year ago, MOAA national changed its membership program. Three levels were established: Basic, Premium and Life. Basic membership provided access to MOAA information and was available at no cost to the individual except to provide an address. Initially, this level was primarily for junior grade officers up to about age 35. Premium grade provided more benefits including Military Officer magazine and was intended for mid-grade and higher officers. This level was available at a modest annual membership fee. Finally, Life membership included more benefits, especially for spouses, and a single membership payment. Basic and Premium members could move up to higher levels at any time. Over the year, the program has changed slightly. Now all officers may join at the basic level by providing an address. However, for mid-grade officers and higher, the basic membership level can only be maintained for three years after which the officer must convert to a Premium or Life level membership.

3 2012 Chapter Leadership Officers: President: Maj. Frank DiMarco st Vice-President: Col. Cary Weatherhead nd Vice-President: Capt. William Keller Treasurer: Recording Secretary: Ethelann Duncan Corresponding Sec: Capt. George Williams Directors: Maj. Heath Reinhardt Lt. Frank Bartkowicz Comdr. Lester Stone Col. Bart Stovicek Maj. Thomas Jenks Capt. Charles Albert, Past President Committees: Legislative Programs Membership ROTC Liaison Appointments: Chaplain TOPS Representative State Council: Delegate Delegate Open Open Capt. Charles Albert Maj. Thomas Jenks Capt. Charles Albert LCDR. Richard Asbury Capt. William Keller Maj. Frank DeMarco Newsletter Publisher: Col. W. Cary Weatherhead MOAAwxhd@windstream.net Auburndale Drive Chagrin Falls, Ohio UPCOMING CHAPTER MEETINGS Please note our varied schedule. We try to introduce variety into our meetings. Meetings are open to a spouse/friend and we encourage their participation. Always check dates, times and locations. Details of meetings will be published as soon as they are established. Sept: Oct. 17, :30 PM Dinner Speaker R. Deshantz on Fisher House Holiday Inn Rockside I-77 and Rockside Rd. Oct: Nov. 14, :30 PM Dinner Holiday Inn Rockside I-77 and Rockside Rd Annual Dues Annual dues for the 2013 calendar year are payable in November. A revised 2013 form is included in this newsletter. Please provide all requested information. Care Concerns and Vital Statistics If you know a member where a caring word or other help is in order, please call and let Chapter leadership know of the situation. Also the dues form asks for some vital statistics. We d like to recognize individual birthdays (month). NEW DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY (DHA) For many years, MOAA has campaigned for a single DOD level agency to manage health care issues rather than an individual service approach. On October 1, a new DOD level agency, the Defense Health Agency (DHA), began operations. The new agency will manage TRICARE s purchased care contracts, the TRICARE heath plan, pharmacy programs, education and training, research and development, public health services, facilities planning, logistics, acquisitions, budgets and resources. In addition, DLA will set up six multi service markets where, over time, medical facilities in the selected geographic areas, now operated by the three services, will be integrated into a single operational structure. This has already happened in Washington,, DC. Others will be Hawaii (Oahu), Washington (Puget Sound), Virginia (Tidewater), Texas (San Antonio), and Colorado (Colorado Springs). The intent is to improve facility utilization while maintaining the cost effectiveness of the military hospital system. Outside of the above areas, some military health facilities/services may be curtailed if the professionals to maintain those services are underutilized. The care curtailed would be contracted to local civilian sector facilities. Not everyone agrees today s DHA is the final solution. More can be done: improved contracting procedures, greater integration with the civilian sector, new programs like a Medicare Advantage system for TRICARE-FOR- LIFE beneficiaries, and, finally, better integration of the military and Veterans Administration systems.

4 GREATER CLEVELAND CHAPTER SEPTEMBER 19, 2013 MEETING MINUTES HOLIDAY INN ROCKSIDE ROAD Maj. Frank DiMarco, Chapter President, opened the meeting at 6:30 PM. He thanked everyone for coming and encouraged all of us to buy raffle tickets to support the scholarship fund. Capt. Charles Albert led us in prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Maj. DiMarco welcomed our guests which included Capt. Terry Cooney (President, Ohio Council of ChapterS) and his wife Pat, Col. Brooke Schumm and his wife Betty, and Col. Brian Anderson (MOAA Headquarters). Our scheduled guest speaker, VADM Norbert Ryan (President MOAA), had an unexpected commitment and Col. Brian Anderson graciously filled in for VADM Ryan. Also a representative from DFAS was one of our guests. Maj. DiMarco reminded us of the State Convention which WAS being held in Akron on September 20-22, He also thanked several officers for their efforts on behalf of the Chapter: Col. Thomas Jenks, our ROTC Representative; Col. Cary Weatherhead, Newsletter Editor;, Treasurer; and, Capt. Charles Albert, Membership Chair. He reminded us that our chapter does big things. Our scholarship program serves 13 schools and gives out $500 to $1000 in college scholarships to the best and brightest graduating JROTC cadets. Our next meeting the speaker will be Rick Deshantz who will give us details on the plans for a Fischer House in Cleveland. Maj. DiMarco will invite VADM Ryan to our January installation of officers. Col. Anderson, our guest speaker stated that VADM Ryan is here in spirit. He talked about the changes that have happened in the last 50 years. Changing the name from ROA to MOAA helped increase membership as its inclusive wording covered both retired and active duty personnel. There is now a basic membership with no membership fee where you can access the MOAA website. Col. Anderson also spoke about legislative issues. It was noted, at the state level, MOAA s Ohio Council of Chapters successfully campaigned to add Public Health and NOAA officers to the Ohio law exempting military retired pay from state income taxes. Nationally, sequestration and the debt issue, as they now stand, would mean a $500 billion dollar deficit for the defense budget. This will have a large impact on readiness for reserve and active duty soldiers. Another issue is the proposed military pay increase of 1% for 2014 compared to 1.8% which is the average national wage growth in recent years. Just a one year reduction in the difference between military pay increases vis-à-vis the general population s has a major impact on active and retirement income over time; and, it is also expected to have a major impact on active duty retention. The cost of health care is large; however, it is not out of control and has been a relatively constant proportion of the defense budget over the last 30 years. Proposed large increases in TRICARE enrollment fees could mean major impacts to individual income. MOAA is actively working to make sure the rate of increase in TRICARE fees is no greater the than the rate of increase in pay. Another issue is averting a 27% reduction in payments to doctors and hospitals for both Medicare and TRICARE. We need to lead the charge by writing to our senators and representatives to overturn these issues which would be a great determent to both active duty and retired personnel and also our readiness to protect the US. Col. Anderson also noted upcoming events: the Regional Officers Symposium in Hershey, PA; and the Annual meeting in Colorado November th. A question was asked why TRICARE PRIME, which affects individuals with minimal access to military run health facilities and before TRICARE-FOR-LIFE eligibility, was terminated with little or no notice. Col. Anderson responded that it is another issue being addressed. The ticket was drawn for the 50/50 raffle and Ethelann Duncan won. She returned her portion back to the scholarship fund. Meeting adjourned at 8:42 PM. Respectfully submitted, Ethelann Duncan, Secretary

5 GREATER CLEVELAND CHAPTER, MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Morning Colors 8 a.m. DUES/APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP/CHANGE OF ADDRESS 2013 Dues: Member -$20.00**; Auxiliary-$5.00 Dues use are payable in November for the next calendar year. Marines raise the American Flag Date Name: $. ** Last First Middle Aux. $. Last First Middle Will you help our Scholarship Fund with a Tax Deductible Donation? $. Will you help our Chapter with additional support? $. Address: City State Zip (+) Phone: Birth Date / / Rank Service Status: Active Retired Former Officer Widow(er) MOAA National Member? Y/N Nat. Member Number Spouse Name Biographic Summary (Military & Civilian) ** Jr. Officers (O 1-3, WO 1-3) and age 35 or younger may choose a no fee membership, personal address required. PLEASE MAIL TO: Maj. Richard G. Reusch, Bunker Hill Rd., Strongsville, OH /50 Raffle Purpose and rules: The 50/50 Raffle raises funds to support the local ROTC/JROTC units with certificates, medals, financial assistance, etc. and/or the Scholarship fund. There are five senior (college) and thirteen junior (high school) units. The raffle winner will receive 50% of the amount collected and 50% will go to the ROTC fund. Raffle drawings are conducted each meeting from tickets/receipts collected prior to or at the meeting. If there are only one or two donors at any particular meeting, tickets will be held and included in the next meeting s drawing. Send tickets and your check to: Maj. Richard G. Reusch, Bunker Hill Rd., Strongsville, OH September Drawing was won by Ethelann Duncan The next drawing is planned for: Oct. Tickets are printed below. Tickets are $1.00 each or six for $5.00 PLEASE NOTE THE RAFFLE IS A SIGNIFICANT COMPONENT OF OUR JROTC/ROTC SUPPORT FUND