Live from the Army Family Action Plan Conference, Day 2: Medical and Dental I Working Group

It is impossible to observe the Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) Conference without seeing the utmost dedication of the working groups to get the issues that they are dealing with ‘right.’ For example, when the issue of TRICARE Prime Remote Prescription Co-Payments for Family Members was discussed, the Subject Matter Expert (SME), Lt. Col. Stacia Spridgeme, director of the Department of Defense Pharmacal-Economic Center, teed off the discussion within the issue’s identified scope:

“There is an inequality of benefits between Families at remote sites vs. those on or near military installations who have access to military pharmacies. Prescriptions filled at a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) are provided at no cost. Military Family members who are remotely assigned are forced to make co-payments for prescriptions. The Family members’ lack of access to MTF to fill their prescriptions leads to an inequitable cost share not incurred by Military Families residing on or near a military installation.”

The proposed recommendation is to “eliminate prescription co-payments for TRICARE PRIME REMOTE Family members.” To accomplish this “requires legislatize and regulatory changes,” stated Lt. Col. Spridgeme.

In order to better understand Issue #57 and to better prioritize the issues within their purview, delegates asked insightful questions of LTC Spridgene. From retirees and recruiters to Army National Guard and Reserve and from CONUS to OCONUS, the delegates thoughtfully examined each perspective. Firsthand experience of a wounded warrior brought home additional significant aspects to consider.

There is no rank at AFAP. Delegates are open-minded, positive team members whose only goal is to accomplish the AFAP Conference mission: to identify and prioritize quality of life issues that safeguard and improve the Army’s standard of living; to provide training that will improve AFAP programs at all levels.

Skilled working group facilitators, recorder/transcribers, issue support persons and room managers are assigned to each working group at the AFAP Conference. They help ensure that the process stays on track.

Tony B. Halstead, deputy chief in the TRICARE Division of AMEDD, has been active at AFAP since 2003, and is participating as a SME at the Medical and Dental I Working Group. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the AFAP Conference process. [For more information on the process: http://usarmyimcom.blogspot.com/2010/01/live-from-army-family-action-plan-afap.html.]

“When something is broke it just needs to be fixed,” said Halstead. “When global issues arise at the local level-at garrisons, they need to be elevated to the global level for resolution. The AFAP Conference provides a forum where issues get the visibility and promote change.”

Halstead proudly pointed to the track record of the AFAP Conference. “AFAP may be unique to the Army, but it significantly effects sister Services too.”

Halstead’s observation is right on target. To date, AFAP results include 112 legislative changes, 159 Army and Office of the Secretary of Defense policies changed and 178 changes to programs and services. Approximately 60 percent of AFAP issues are applicable across the Department of Defense.

The Medical and Dental I Work Group will be reviewing ten health care issues.

Conference photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/imcom/