U.S. Reps. Marc Molinaro and Pat Ryan on Tuesday called for bipartisan action in the House on the Health Care Fairness for Military Act. The bill was introduced by Ryan, D-18, and cosponsored by Molinaro, R-19, and 66 other members of Congress.
The bill would ensure access to affordable health care for children of military service men and woman as they grow to adulthood, consistent with federal requirements for commercial health plans. This legislation would extend health care coverage to TRICARE, the uniformed services health care program for active duty service members.
Under current law, TRICARE dependents can remain on their parents’ policy until they are 21, five years earlier than what is offered by most private insurance plans and the Affordable Care Act. Once dependents turn 21, they have the option to enroll in the TRICARE Young Adult Program, but this results in an expensive monthly premium between $291 and $570 per month.
The bipartisan Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act extends dependent coverage under TRICARE for children of service members up to 26 years of age with no additional out-of-pocket cost.
“I’m honored to be standing alongside Congressman Pat Ryan, former Congressman Chris Gibson and advocates for veterans and military families to call for bipartisan action in Congress on the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act,” Molinaro said in a statement. “This bipartisan bill will expand health care coverage for military families who have made tremendous sacrifices in protection of our nation, freedoms and way of life. This measure honors these sacrifices by ensuring military families get the health care they deserve. This bill has transcended party lines, garnering the support of over 50 lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, as well as the backing of military and veterans’ advocacy organizations. It’s time for Congress to take up this common-sense bill and pass it.”
Ryan said patriotism extends to giving the current and former service members decent access to health care.
“Delivering for our military families goes beyond party — it’s about patriotism and fighting on behalf of those who put their lives on the line for this country every day,” Ryan said. “I understand there is no time to wait. We need immediate congressional action to address this inequity and provide much-needed relief to military families across the country.”
Gibson said military families deserve to be treated with the same respect as all other American families when it comes to health coverage.
“U.S. Reps. Pat Ryan and Marc Molinaro are leading the charge for this important bill before Congress that would change the law to ensure young adults of military families are treated the same as all other American families when it comes to health care insurance coverage options,” Gibson said. ”I strongly support this bill and I thank them both for their leadership and care for veterans and their families.”
Columbia County Veterans Service Agency Director Gary Flaherty, who was recently appointed chairman of the 19th Congressional District’s Veterans Advisory Committee, said the legislation will close loopholes in medical treatment for veterans.
“While the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in our area provides excellent support, they can only do so much,” Flaherty said. “This legislation will close the loop and assist many other veterans in need of assistance, particularly using telehealth and community care.”
Flaherty added the legislation would address health care problems that veterans face.
“I would only add that the VA system should be allowed to accept all veterans without the currency restrictions on income,” Flaherty said. “I feel that any veteran who has served our country has paid their health care option. Do away with the categories of veterans who are eligible and this bill would be an opportunity to do so.”