The following minutes of a military retiree summit meeting held in the Ft. Walton Beach, FL, area on 12 Dec 1998, compiled by Lt Col Robert L. Reinlie (retired), was extracted from the Class Action Lawsuit - Latest News web page

MINUTES:

The Summit meeting was at Hurlburt Field's Soundside Club on December 12, 1998, at 10:00 a.m.

Attendees:

Class Act Group:
Col George E. Day (Attorney & Advisor)
Lt Col Robert L. Reinlie (Plaintiff & Senior CAG Volunteer)
Lt Col William O. Schism (Plaintiff )
Col Robert L. Geasland (Archivist and Writer)
Maj Tom Pentecost (WEB site and file audit)
SMSgt Gaylord Hall (Volunteer)
CMSgt John Schlegel (Office Manager)
Lt Col Ted Raymond (Volunteer and Media advisor)

Augusta (GA) Group:
SGM Floyd Felts
Col Sidney Putnam

Mississippi Independents:
Msgt Floyd Sears
Msgt James Whittington

Alliance of Retired Military (ARM):
John Armstrong (Chairman)
Mrs Gloria Armstrong

The Retired Enlisted Association:
J.H. "Jack" Jackson (National 1stVP)
Art S. Giarth (President, Emerald Coast Chapter 89)

Retired Activity Office (RAO):
Tom Logsdon (Eglin AFB)
Bill Zell (Hurlburt Field)
Lt Col Errol Hoberman (RAO and CAG Volunteer)

Guest:
Mrs Errol Hoberman

Invited but sent regrets:
National Alliance of Uniformed Services ( NAUS)
MGen Richard Murray, President
Col Charles Partridge

Coalition of Retired Military Veterans (CORMV)
MGYSGT James Gunn - Emergency

Augusta Group
Col Richard Manion - Emergency


The purpose of this meeting was: To explore the possibility of achieving a greater sense of unity among the retired military veterans; To discuss ideas for applying pressure on Congress and for gaining National Media attention.

Opening Statement

The meeting was started at 10:15 with opening remarks by Col Day relative to the Class Act Lawsuit's status. Col. Day stated that Judge Vinson denied our Motion for New Trial. We felt that his granting of their Motion for Summary Judgement was in part based on the erroneous belief that retired military veteran were pensioners as defined in the 1922 MEDMAN. Based on the latest ruling, the appeal package will be submitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Washington DC. August 1999 is the earliest time for oral arguments being heard. Col Day further assured everyone that we are firmly committed to pursue this to the Supreme Court. The determination of the Group members to aggressively pursue the case is combined with the financial resources to support the fight.

Presentations and Discussions:

Floyd Felts gave his superb presentation on the Legislative history and future of Military Health Care. Each attendee received copies of his overhead slides. A major point is civilians do not understand Tricare/Champus. We must tell them that those programs are like an HMO. Other high (or low) points included: A shortfall of $623 Million in FY-99 Military Medical Budget followed by $8.4 Billion for 2000 thru 2003 (HNSC Subcommittee PSNL hearings); The National Defense Authorization Act (HR-3616) imposes "strict managed-care financing" on Military Treatment Facilities and availability of Pharmacy benefits; The proposed downsizing of five (5) Military Medical Centers that include Ft. Gordon (GA) and Keesler AFB (MS) plus consolidation of Walter Reed (DC) and Bethesda Naval Medical Center (MD). Finally, the Tricare Seniors- MEDICARE Subvention-(HR 2015) and Federal Employee Health Benefit Plan-FEHBP65-(HR 3616) tests that were best summed up in three words. Delay! Deny! Deceive!

Sid Putnam related that the Eisenhower Regional Hospital in Augusta GA will be combined with a VA Hospital and a Georgia State Clinic. Such a plan creates problems of who control this proposed medical facility and the source(s) of funding.

Jim Whittington, who is rapidly getting his Internet legs, spoke of his building a dialogue with Senator (Majority Leader) Trent Lott of Mississippi. Any attempt to influence the member must include their staff members. Knowing that many members of Congress do not answer letters or E-Mail from individuals who are not from their District or State, Jim recommended addressing the Representative or Senator in a specific position. Examples are Senate Majority Leader, House Speaker, Committee Chairman and so on.

Bob Geasland drove everyone to pen and paper with this quote from Supreme Court Justice Black: "Great Nations, like Great Men must keep their word".

John Armstrong explained how he overcame the apathy of local Retired Veterans to build membership from 0 to 165 in a matter of months. He used person-to-person contact. Apathy also runs rampant through both Houses of Congress. We need to use that same person-to-person contact to pull our legislators out of that state. We must boresight them to medical care that can have any name - but no cost.

Bob Reinlie re-emphasized that we need to educate Congress (including Staffers), to inform the American people and to fight the apathy of many retired veterans. He brought out a proposal that should work on all three. His plan is to picket the local offices of elected official. Picketing is not new, Wichita Falls retirees did just that recently, but it usually portrays a negative action. Bob suggests using positive picketing as well. We can reward the Members of Congress who truly support our cause as well as influence their peers to join them. The CAG will soon be taking positive action to implement the picketing plan in the state of Florida. Considerable enthusiasm was demonstrated by all present. Additional copies are available upon request.

Ted Raymond is a columnist with our local newspaper. He supports the lawsuit in his column and provides Public Relations advice. Ted jumped on the picketing idea by suggesting the Governors of Texas and Florida, who are sons of former President Bush and whose States have large Retired Veteran populations, as candidates for such action.

Bob Reinlie, after consulting with Col Day, continued the theme. He and Col Day have discussed an idea based on the rapport Col Day has with Governor-elect Bush. The proposal is to have Governor Bush consider declaring June 6, 1999 (D-Day) a day to honor the States Veterans. That date is also being considered asa picketing day.

Finally, the positive or negative impact a word has on people became the topic of discussion. One of those words is promise. We have all used promise when talking about retiree medical care. The unanimous decision is NOT to use promise anymore. Tom Pentecost suggests guaranteed. Earned was another suggestion. The same applies to using just Veteran (or worse pensioner). No fee (versus free) health care was guaranteed to Retired Veterans.

Jim Whittington volunteered to host the next meeting in his hometown of Laurel, MS. That meeting is tentatively set for March 27, 1999.

Robert L. Reinlie

October 30, 1998

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