DOD officials report that the number of mail order prescriptions sent to beneficiaries in July reached a record level—7.4 percent of total prescriptions filled within the military health care system. That is the highest level in two years. According to a Tricare Management Activity release, beneficiaries like the mail order option because it saves them big bucks, often up to 66 percent of the cost of medicines for blood pressure and the like sold at retail outfits.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.