YOUR JAN. 2 editorial “Pentagon should do more cutting, less complaining about budget’’ recommends raising health premiums in order to manage cost increases. Besides the fact that military TRICARE premiums and pharmacy copayments increased Oct. 1 for certain enrollees, too many observers overlook that military people pay huge up-front premiums for their health care through decades of ardous service and sacrifice.
In addition, military health costs (unlike those for civilian employers) are driven by readiness needs. When military doctors deploy, patients are sent to more expensive civilian care.
