Military Officers Association of America   

Southern Maine Chapter Newsletter

October 2011

Vol 27  No. 4

If you have seen the messages from the MOAA Headquarters lately, and were able to hear Jim O’Brien, guest speaker from MOAA at our last brunch, you know we face some real challenges ahead.  The Defense Department is looking at a reduction in its planned spending over the next ten years of $400 billion.  Cuts in force levels are coming.  That seems inevitable, especially with the withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan.  However, the White House, in a statement to the congressional deficit-reduction committee, announced the intention to realign military compensation, retirement, and benefits to match those in the private sector.  While we, as members of MOAA, shouldn’t oppose the consideration of measures to make our armed forces more efficient, we must demand Congress’s most careful consideration of radical changes that, on the face of it, don’t recognize military service as different from civilian careers and could severely damage the effectiveness of the American military.  We all need to stay informed and engaged – and be willing to express our opinions to our

---

Col Jim O’Brien, MOAA HQ, Updates Chapter in August
    
We were treated to a special guest at our August Chapter meeting when Col Jim O’Brien from MOAA Headquarters joined us for brunch and the election of the new officers for 2012.  Jim thanked us for the invitation, noting that Maine is a favorite destination each summer for his vacation!  He noted that the strength of MOAA is growing.  In the past five years alone, we have seen the organization swell by over 160,000 new members.  Interestingly, 40 percent of new members are now serving on active duty or in the National Guard or Reserve components.  Total membership is now 370,000 strong, placing MOAA as the 4th largest military association behind the American Legion, VFW, and DAV (and we are now the largest officer association).  In fact, MOAA is larger than the next 3 officer associations combined!  With 413 chapters spread across the country we have great clout and influence on Capitol Hill.  Thanks to MOAA, our medical benefits under TRICARE Prime and TFL have been strengthened over the past 5 years.  MOAA has never been opposed to reasonable increases in healthcare charges and remains committed to monitoring the Defense Department’s proposals that are on the horizon. 
    
And there are changes coming.  Count on it.  We face some very difficult issues that pose the “biggest threat to our benefits in the last 20 years.”  Many of our “friends” in Congress have been swept out of office and we have a new majority in the House.  The new leaders are much less knowledgeable about our issues and some believe they have a mandate from voters on cutting the deficit.  The Deficit Commission Report filed last year has some ominous recommendations regarding military benefits.  One of those is a $500 deductible up front and payment of 50 percent of the next $5000 in coverage for TFL beneficiaries.  This alone means $3000 added to your annual healthcare costs…$6000 for a couple. 

---

November Speaker, Bruce L. Poliquin, Maine State Treasurer

The leaves are once again turning multi-hues as fall settles in around us.  That can only mean that it will soon be time for our next Quarterly Chapter meeting at the beautiful Woodlands Club.  The date for your calendars is Saturday, November 12th.  This will be the last in the brunch format meetings and, as usual, we will begin the activities at 9:00 AM.  Following up on the Chapter elections held at the August meeting, we will be inducting the newly elected officers into their new positions at this meeting.
 
We have another fine speaker lined up you’re your pleasure this quarter.  The Honorable Bruce L. Poliquin, Maine State Treasurer, has agreed to join us and fill us in on the latest changes and goings on related to taxes and the financial health of the State.  Mr. Poliquin is a third generation Waterville native.  He completed high school as a scholarship student at Phillips Academy, Andover.  Bruce then worked his way through Harvard University, also as a financial aid student, studying economics and graduating in 1976.

---

Facts of Interest

The upcoming speaker for the February 2012 Quarterly Membership Meeting will be Maine’s First Lady, Ann LePage.

Dates for Quarterly Membership Meetings in 2012 at the Woodlands Club:

    February 11
    May 12 ( Special presentation by the Sea Cadets)
    August 18
    November 10

COLA Watch for 2012:  As of the end of July, inflation stood at 3.3 percent, with only two months to go before the final COLA is calculated.  It should be somewhere above 3 percent next year.  This will be the first COLA in two years.

---

State of Maine Silver Star Honorable Service Medal

Many of our Chapter members may not be aware that they may be eligible to receive the Silver Star Honorable Service Medal, awarded by the State of Maine.  The following information is provided for your information.

Eligibility:  Members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served in time of war & meet the following criteria:  (Only one medal will be issued per qualifying individual; a certificate will accompany presentation of medal.)

Wounded after September 11, 2001.  Must be a resident of Maine upon entry on qualifying active duty tour; and current resident of Maine; and received an Honorable Discharge; and must have been awarded the Purple Heart or killed-in-action and received the award of the Gold Star Honorable Service Medal.

Wounded prior to September 11, 2001.  Must be a resident of Maine upon entry on qualifying active duty tour and/or current resident of Maine for at least five years; and received an Honorable Discharge; and served in a combat theater and awarded the Purple Heart.  Only living veterans will be presented the medal.

Prisoner of War since the beginning of World War II.  Must be a resident of Maine upon entry on qualifying active duty tour or current resident of Maine for at least five years; and received an Honorable Discharge.  The veteran or primary

---

Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership Exchanges (LD 642)

In 2009 Maine implemented the Maine Long-Term Care Partnership Program under the Federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.  Under this program any new qualifying long-term care policies sold after July 1, 2009 were issued as Partnership Policies.  These policies may allow an individual to protect assets equal to the insurance benefits received if applying for MaineCare.  LD 642, which is effective September 28, 2011, extends partnership status to all previous long-term care policies that would have been qualified at the time of sale.  Qualified, generally means that the policy has a minimum of 3 percent compound inflation protection if purchased under age 61 and a minimum of  3 percent simple inflation protection at age 61 to 75.  Although recommended, no inflation protection is required if purchased over age 76.  Insurance companies actively marketing partnership policies in the state are required to provide notice to

---

Board of Directors, Southern ME Chapter, Has New Meeting Place

The Board of Directors for the Southern Maine Chapter of MOAA has been holding our monthly Board of Directors meetings at the Maine Air Guard Armory on Western Ave, South Portland since we left the Coast Guard Base about four years ago.  MG Libby, then President, coordinated the relocation for us when the Coast Guard Base in South Portland became too crowded to host our monthly Board meetings.  The ME Air Guard Armory proved to be convenient and available for us but it has always been understood that this arrangement was not a permanent fix for our meetings. 
    
The September Board meeting was held at the Maine Military Museum in South Portland.  The purpose of meeting at the Museum was to provide an opportunity

---

TRICARE Program Changes Coming

We’re in a dynamic period.  The first of what will probably be several changes to the TRICARE program will affect prices beneficiaries pay for enrollment in the TRICARE Prime plan and for prescription medications.  For anyone joining a Prime plan on or after 1 October 2011, the enrollment fee will increase from $230 to $260 per year for an individual and from $460 to $520 for a family.  Future increases in these fees will be tied to some inflation index.  Effective 1 October, prescriptions picked up at a retail pharmacy will cost $5 for generic medications, $12 for brand names, and $25 for non-formulary, for up to a

---

Membership News

I would like to personally thank all of our members that supported this year’s dues drive and especially those that were able to be so generous in their support of the ROTC/JROTC and General Contributions Funds.   In spite of challenging economic times, we collected a total of $3,480 in membership dues, $1,707 in voluntary contributions to the General Fund and $1,765 in support of the

congressional  representatives.

This will be my last letter to you as your Chapter President.  At our November meeting, we’ll bring on board a new slate of officers to guide the Chapter for the next year or two, including Jim Vollkommer as the new president.  It’s a great group.  They will keep the Chapter moving forward, but they will need everyone’s support, since we are living through interesting times!  See you at the Woodlands on November 12th.  I know you won’t want to miss hearing our guest speaker, Bruce Poliquin, Treasurer for the State of Maine.
    
Bill Hall
Colonel, USAF (Ret.)
President

There are discussions of limiting COLAs on our retired pay.  Col O’Brien could not think of another time when our chapters have been more important than they are now; we need to stick together and chapters are the best way to do it.  We face many challenges ahead next year but MOAA intends to ensure that Congress and this Administration don’t “take their eye off the ball” on the most important issue for this country – its national defense.

Col O’Brien noted that we have about 66,000 MOAA members in our 413 chapters and 35 state councils – about 19 percent of the total membership of 370,000.  Col O’Brien stated that our chapter system makes a contribution to the association all out of proportion to their numbers because of all the work chapters, like ours, do within their local communities.  He noted the good work Southern Maine Chapter does each year with the youth involved within the state’s JROTC and Senior ROTC units.  Also noted has been the work the Chapter has been doing to assist homeless veterans around the state.  One of the best examples of how grass roots support pays off is in the MOAA Council President’s Seminar each spring, also known as “Storming the Hill” – President Bill Hall visited Maine’s legislators on our Chapter’s behalf and carried the message on MOAA’s key issues that are important to each of us.
    
Col O’Brien thanked each of our members for all we do as volunteers and for getting involved.  He stated that our continued support to MOAA Headquarters is critical during these changing times.  Each of us is making a real difference nationally and in the community through “your inspiring example and servant leadership.”

Mr. Poliquin has been a private sector business owner and manager during the past 35 years.  He started his career in the financial services industry in 1976 at the Harris Trust and Savings Bank in Chicago, working in the employee benefits area.  Two years later, he joined Evaluation Associates, Inc., in Westport, CT, a nationally recognized pension fund consulting firm.  In 1981, Mr. Poliquin became a principal of Avatar Investors Associates Corp. in New York, an independent investment management firm.  When Bruce left Avatar Associates in 1996, the company managed nearly $5 billion in pension, endowment, and foundation assets. 
    
He lives in Georgetown, ME, with his son, Sam, now a college freshman in Dallas.

next of kin can receive the award.

Application:  Qualifying individuals applying for the award must complete an application and forward along with a copy of DD Form 214 (Separation from Active Duty) attesting to the fact that an Honorable Discharge was granted and you were a resident of Maine at the time of entry on active duty.  DD 214/DD 215 or official documentation must show award of Purple Heart and/or Prisoner of War status.  Families applying for medal must provide primary next of kin documentation.

Presentation:  Once eligibility has been verified, Maine Veterans’ Services will contact the veteran or family and schedule a presentation ceremony if requested.  Otherwise the medal and certificate will be mailed.

For an application contact:

The Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management
Maine Veterans’ Services
117 State House Station
Augusta, Maine  04333-0117

Or contact LTC K. Scott Berry, Newsletter Editor, 767-0236.

---

Long-Term Care Insurance (cont.)

eligible policy holders that purchased policies after July 1, 2004, and the date the insurer began actively marketing partnership policies in the state, that they may be eligible for partnership conversion.  Policy holders who purchased policies prior to July 1, 2004 are required to request their insurer to review their policy for exchange eligibility by September 27, 2012.  If your policy does not qualify for Partnership Exchange under LD 642 it may be eligible for exchange as a new policy subject to underwriting and attained age.  This exchange for a new policy may not be the best action for holders of older policies.  Further information can be obtained from your insurance company customer service line or servicing agent, the Maine Bureau of Insurance at Maine.gov Bulletin 381, 800-300-5000, or a licensed Maine insurance agent.  (LCDR Mark Patrick, Treasurer, 721-0831)

---

Board of Directors Meeting Place (cont.)

for the Directors to receive a tour after the regular meeting.  The owner/curator, Lee Humiston, and honorary member of our Chapter, was our tour guide.  He has done a wonderful job displaying  the rich military history of the United States of America.  Prior to the tour, Lee graciously offered the use of the Museum for out meetings as long as the Chapter would like.  Incoming President Jim Vollkommer put the offer to a vote, which was passed unanimously.  All members are encouraged to visit the museum, located at 50 Peary Terrace, South Portland, ME; the admission is free.  If you have visited the museum in the past, you may want to stop in again.  Lee is constantly updating the displays.  The website is www.MaineMilitaryMuseum.org.   (COL Frank Toderico, 2nd Vice President)

---

TRICARE Program Changes Coming (cont.)

---

In Memoriam