is appropriation provides for retirement payments to Public Health Service (PHS) officers who are tired for age, disability, or a specified length of service as well as for payments to survivors of deceas tired officers who had elected to receive reduced retirement payments.

is account also funds the provision of medical care to active duty and retired members of the PHS ›mmissioned Corps, and to dependents of active duty, retired and deceased members of the PHS >mmissioned Corps.

le FY 2004 request is a net increase of $17,906,000 over the FY 2003 level. This amount reflects creased medical benefits costs, an annualization of amounts paid to retirees and survivors in FY 2003, d a net increase in the number of retirees and survivors during FY 2003. The budget request includes st-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 4.5 percent.

he purpose of this activity is to provide mandatory payments to Commissioned Officers of the Public ealth Service who have been retired for age, disability or specified length of service.

he FY 2004 request of $234,000,000 is an increase of $15,016,000 over the FY 2003 level and will Ipport payments to an estimated 4,463 annuitants. The increase will fund the annualization costs of th Y 2003 COLA, an FY 2004 COLA of 4.5 percent, and the projected net increase of 108 retirees durin Y 2004.

he FY 2004 estimates are based on payments to the following number of retirees:

his activity provides for the payment of annuities to survivors of retired officers who had elected to ceive reduced retirement payments under the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan and urvivor's Benefit Plan. This program is financed by the Federal Government although deductions are tade in the retirement payments to the officers who elect the option of survivors' benefits.

he FY 2004 request of $15,001,000 is an increase of $899,000 from the FY 2003 level and will provic ayments for an estimated 636 annuitants. This amount includes funds for the annualization costs of th Y 2003 COLA and the FY 2004 COLA of 4.5 percent.

he FY 2004 estimates are based on payments to the following numbers of