Defense Health Care Costs Rising Twice As Fast As National Average

Pentagon spending on military health care is skyrocketing, consuming a significant and increasing chunk of the defense budget, reports USA Today.

The growing costs are prompting the Defense Dept. and Congress to consider increasing out-of-pocket fees for military retirees and some active-duty families for the first time in 15 years, said Rear Adm. Christine Hunter, the deputy director of Tricare, the military health system.

Pentagon spending on health care has grown from $19...