House approves 23 Bill for Defense Spending with 4.6% Raise

According to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, as passed in the House, military personnel would start receiving a 4.6 percent pay boost on Jan. 1. This is a result of the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), which was increased by 2% as part of the legislation that the House approved on Dec. 8.

Additionally, lawmakers requested that the Pentagon provide a study outlining “a more open, equitable, and adaptable manner” to determine BAH. The BNA (Basic Needs Allowance) cutoff is increasing. Those now making up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level would be eligible.

Other employee-related provisions include:

• Increasing funds for commissaries to counteract increasing food and other goods prices.
• The creation of a five-year trial program to reimburse service members for some childcare expenses they incur when moving or being assigned to a permanent change of station (PCS).
• A decrease in daycare costs for kids of staff members at child development centers.
• Expansion of important incentive programs for hiring and keeping employees.

The measure also tackles several other crucial childcare-related concerns, such as:

• The need for all branches of the military forces to find methods to enhance childcare services in rural or underserved locations.
• The services must also “promote and improve awareness of childcare choices,” according to another criterion.
• A research study that contrasts the pay received by childcare providers with that of their civilian peers in their localities.
• The release of pertinent My Childcare in Your Neighborhood Program information quarterly.
• An evaluation of the viability of including au pairs in the program for in-home childcare.
• A briefing to lawmakers on childcare on military sites without child development facilities or with centers that are present but insufficiently sized to offer enough open slots.

The quality of life provisions include $20 million for such organizations that help educate severely challenged children and $50 million to support local organizations that educate military children. Additionally, service members stationed in Alaska would be given training on special duty pay and a travel allowance. Service members may also be eligible to receive up to $4,000 in reimbursement for costs associated with transporting their pets during a permanent change of station movement to or from areas outside the United States.

Detection and prevention policies for sexual harassment would also be improved. A separate trial counsel would be assigned to handle these matters, adding another layer of independence from any command influence.

Such investigations would also be carried out by independent, professional investigators who were not part of the chain of command. Panels for court martials would be drawn at random. Reporting obligations would also increase to execute the New Special Trial Counsel Program. Civil servants would henceforth be permitted to submit enlarged, restricted reports of sexual harassment to eliminate the unrestricted-only status of such complaints.

Spouses would be paid for their relocation costs when asked to transfer their companies during PCS movements. Veterans who are disabled and some spouses may also be eligible for non-competitive appointment power.

The House took some steps to address lingering problems with healthcare. According to the law, the Navy SEAL (sea, air, and land) trainees’ medical care is to be investigated by the Pentagon inspector general. New regulations would ensure accountability for wounded, ill, and injured military personnel during the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) procedure.

Reducing end-strength authorizations among healthcare professionals would not be permitted by the services. Stockpiles of medications used to treat chronic diseases, such as insulin, would be maintained by implementing measures. Any decision to change the range of treatments offered at military healthcare centers should be communicated to Congress. The designation of “essential casualty facilities” would apply to certain facilities. In such cases, they would have to react to a national emergency. The military health service would establish centers of excellence.

Other clauses include mental health and suicide prevention. Some demanded the creation of a voluntary pilot program for securely keeping weapons owned by private individuals. Others suggested developing a curriculum for certifying mental health professionals knowledgeable about the needs of military members and their families, increasing the confidentiality requirements for service members, and finding ways to increase the number of military behavioral health providers.

Lawmakers are requesting the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the mental health coverage that TRICARE offers and audit the services provided by the organization’s behavioral health providers.

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Bio:
For over 20 years, Jeff Boettcher has helped his clients grow and protect their retirement savings. “each time I work with my clients, I’m building their future, and there are few things that are more important to a family than a stable financial foundation.”

Jeff is known for his ability to make the complex simple while helping navigate his clients through the challenges of making the right investment decisions. When asked what he is most passionate about professionally, his answer was true to character, “Helping my clients – I love being able to solve their problems. People are rightfully concerned about their retirement income, when they can retire, how to maximize their financial safety and future income.” Jeff started Bedrock Investment Advisors for clients who value a close working relationship with their advisors.

A Michigan native, Jeff grew up playing sports throughout high school and into college. While Jeff is still an ‘aging’ athlete, Jeff will take more swings on the golf course than miles running these days. He creates family time, often with weekly excursions to play golf, a hobby he shares with his three young children.

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