CBO says military healthcare costs could soar

Active and retired service personnel and their families are increasing their use of the military healthcare system at a faster rate than civilians enrolled in comparable private health programs, according to a report by the Congressional Budget Office. As a result, the annual cost to the Defense Department’s healthcare program could grow from $51 billion in fiscal 2013 to $65 billion by 2017 and to $90 billion by 2030, according to CBO estimates in the report, "Long-Term Implications of the 2013 Future Years Defense Program," which was released Wednesday.