NERA and The Military Coalition continue the fight for parity with active duty forces, officer corps and federal employees. Remember that the Pentagon and the Congress do not think up improved benefits and entitlements for enlisted Reservists. The only reason these issues are addressed at all are the result of the efforts of NERA and The Military Coalition. The following is a listing of some of the things that NERA is currently working on.

• Extension of the Reserve Dental Program to actively participating members of the Ready Reserve.

• Portal-to-portal coverage to include the evening prior to commencement of drill.

• Medical coverage for Reservists and their families.

• Disability retirement of Reservists with more than 15 but less than 20 years of service. (Currently authority expired September 1999.)

• Restoration of the tax deductibility of non-reimbursable expenses associated with Reserve training.

• Tax credits for employers of Reservists who cannot work at their jobs due to Reserve training or Mobilization.

• Reserve Mobilization Income Insurance Program.

• College loan repayment delays for mobilized Reservists.

• Small business loans for self-employed Reservists to assist small business owners following periods of mobilization.

• Unlimited access to military commissaries.

• Increased access to space available travel for Reservists and their family members.

• Equitable leave policy for Reservists.

• Equitable hostile fire pay for Reservists.

• Basic Allowance for Housing for all Reservists who have mortgage or rental obligation whenever they are performing any type of active duty.

• Montgomery GI Bill benefits for as long as Reservists remain members in good standing of the Selected Reserve.

• Provision of burial flags by the Department of Veteran Affairs to families of decreased Reservists.

• VA home loan guarantees for Selected Reservists. (Current authorization expired in October 1999.)

• Concurrent receipt of VA disability and military retirement.

• Elimination of CHAMUS/ Tricare Standard deductible for Reservists called to active duty for more than 30 but less than 180 days.

• Military health care reform include testing of Medical Subvention and Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

• Expansion of mail order pharmacy benefits to cover all uniformed services beneficiaries, regardless of age, status or location.