Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 3/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Mr Howell.

I was curious if there was a figure out there that showed the number or percentage of military members that have dependent parents?  My mother-in-law has come to live with us and was put under my husband as a dependent...which basically means she can get on and off base (can't drive) and fill her prescriptions at the base clinic (as she isn't eligible for Tricare).  Do you know if there is anything in the works to change that?  Or if there are other options out there through the military to help with the cost of the medical bills?

Thanks for you help

Terri

ANSWER: Terri,
Sorry for the delay but I had to consult with several friends to come up with a good answer for you.  I went to my friend at the Air Force Personnel Center in San Antonio, Texas to get one part of the answer.  She said the only tracking data they have on this shows that 3.6% of all Air Force members with dependants, list their parents as dependants.  They don't have exact data on the other Services, but they believe it should be very similar for all.  No, there is currently nothing in the works to change the situation as you described, it's controlled by Congress and my friend in the U.S. Senate says he knows of nothing otherwise, probably because it's not a problem affecting a lot of people.  What's wrong with filling her prescriptions at the base clinic?
I'm sorry that it's not the answer you wanted to hear, but it's the facts.
Colonel H


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Colonel

Thank you for your research.  I wasn't expecting any particular answer but I appreciate it all the same.  I apologize for being unaware of your position and calling you 'Mr'.  She does fill her prescriptions at the base clinic, however, due to the size of the clinic there aren't specialists available on base.  She has to receive actual 'medical care' off-base because she is considered 'direct care' and there are hardly appointments open for the active members and their families.  3.6% multiplied by 5 different types of service is 18%...I would say that is a large number considering that approximately 1% of the nations' population is active duty.  I'm just curious how someone would go about trying to get that changed...even if it's just labs, radiology etc through the clinic and the PCM still be under direct care.

Answer
Terri,
No apologies necessary, I've been called a lot worse.  Notice the statistics said 3.6% of all Air Force members WITH DEPENDENTS, not just all members, so now your 18% isn't valid.  Plus the Coast Guard belongs to the Dept. of Transportation during peacetime, not the Dept. of Defense.  At this point about all you can do is to write to your U.S. Congressman and explain your situation.
Good luck,
Colonel H