Medicare vote over HMO cuts to move in Senate – Military stands to feel the effects as well with TriCare for civilians

Update: Tri-Care is also tied to Medicare, which is the plan for civilian members and physicians have a low reimbursement rate here as well, some some civilian members of the military could stand to lose access as well if physicians consider dropping these members as well, around 9 million receive care though Tri-Care. BD

If the Senate fails seniors on Medicare, we'll fail our military members too," Senator Max Baucus of Montana, the Democrat who heads the Senate Finance Committee handling the bill said in a briefing with reporters. Reimbursement to doctors who take patients in Tricare, the military's health care plan for its civilian members, is based on pay under Medicare. About 9 million uniformed service members and their families get care through Tricare.