Hello Margo,

> As a military wife, I have to speak up on this point.  Whilst this  
> may be true, I have to say that if it weren't for TriCare, we'd be  
> in the poor house.  All four of our children have had significant  
> medical needs - starting with an airlife to a larger hospital NICU  
> & full life support for our first.  All three of our older children  
> have had at least two surgeries, baby is about to have what will  
> hopefully be her only childhood surgery next month.  One of my  
> children is on a medication that would cost $197/month if we paid  
> for it.  We pay a $3 copay for it.  I got very sensitive, excellent  
> car when I went in for check ups during the 4 years that I suffered  
> from severe (post partum) depression.  We have found the doctors  
> that see our children for well-checks to be very supportive of our  
> choices regarding long-term breastfeeding, no vaccines, homeopathic  
> remedies before taking the traditional Rx.  This system set up for  
> the active duty male has served my family well and it SO affordable  
> premium-wise.


I agree with the help Tricare can bring.  I also have four children,  
but I opt out into the civilian sector when I can.  My son has  
required eye surgeries since birth --a total of 5 in the past 16  
years, and definitely Tricare saved us with this.  However, we have  
had our battles with his very care at times.  And I will tell you,  
your experiences are not the norm--we come from the same background-- 
including homebirthing--and the majority(not all) of military clinics  
and staff are not supportive of these choices.  Only recently in  
Aviano, I had my battles again with my daughter and vaccinations.  
More recently, I had to see my civilian doctor in Hawai'i when we  
went home last summer for a visit to resolve my medical problems that  
were being ignored at my local clinic.  I will stop here as I know,  
this is going way out of the realm of Lactnet.

Kind Regards,
Gloria Thai, Va USA


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