More retirees returning to Tricare Published Feb. 27, 2004 By Master Sgt. Scott Elliott Air Force Print News WASHINGTON -- Military retirees are returning to Tricare for their health care, and the service’s senior executive thinks that is a good thing.But it comes at price.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche met Feb. 26 with members of the House Committee on Armed Services to discuss the Air Force’s portion of the 2005 National Defense Authorization Request.“This is a good-news story on one level -- it’s validation that we’re caring for our retired servicemembers,” Secretary Roche said. “It comes, however, with significant cost growth.”Retiree enrollment in Tricare has risen 8 percent in the past two years, because of higher premiums and co-pays in the civilian sector. Secretary Roche said the Department of Defense has reprogrammed about $600 million this year to pay for that growth, and that the services are being forced to absorb increasing amounts.The secretary told committee members about an idea for a joint venture with Veterans Affairs to help cut costs and maximize usage of military facilities.“We have unused capacity in our Air Force hospitals and clinics,” he said. “We’d like to … advertise to our retirees what’s available at our Air Force medical facilities and see how many will come back -- not to Tricare, which is cash, but come back to our existing facilities to work with our doctors.”Secretary Roche urged the committee to keep the increased usage and costs in mind as they consider any proposed expansion of benefits.“I believe it’s a good thing because it says we’re keeping faith with people, and we gave them our word,” he said.