Sens. Kelly, Murkowski, Warren and Reps. Ryan, Kiggans Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Lower Healthcare Insurance for Military Families
Landmark bipartisan legislation would fix inequity in military health care coverage, delivering direct relief for military families across the nation
Legislation would save an estimated 350,000 American military families as much as $8,724 per year in health care costs
Today, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) alongside Representatives Pat Ryan (D-NY-18) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-2) reintroduced the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act, bipartisan legislation that would extend health care coverage to TRICARE (Active Duty and Retired) beneficiaries who have adult children younger than 26 years old. This would lower health care costs and guarantee access for hundreds of thousands of military families across the country.
“As a Navy combat veteran, I know firsthand the sacrifices military families make,” said Sen. Kelly. “They’ve earned access to the same high-quality health care that American families expect. That’s why we’re fixing this gap in TRICARE coverage, so young adult children in military families aren’t left behind.”
“If civilians can keep their family members on their healthcare coverage until age 26, it’s just wrong that military family members are treated differently. This common-sense fix will raise the age limit, allowing military dependents to stay on their parent’s insurance plan until 26, the same age as civilians, without a premium increase,” said Sen. Murkowski. “Taking care of our servicemembers means taking care of their families, and this bill takes a critical step in fulfilling that responsibility.”
“Military families shouldn’t have inferior rights. Our government should recognize their sacrifices by giving their children access to high-quality, affordable health care up to age 26, instead of kicking them off their parents’ insurance plans early,” said Sen. Warren. “All three of my brothers served in the military, so I will always fight for the safety and well-being of our service members and their families.”
“Military families have sacrificed so much for this country – it’s absolutely unacceptable that they don’t have access to the same health care as every other American,” said Rep. Ryan. “I’m proud that my legislation will right this wrong, and – especially amid rising health care costs in the Hudson Valley and nationwide – will deliver much-needed relief to military families across the country. By extending TRICARE eligibility to 26, hundreds of thousands of military families will save as much as $8,724 per year. Our military families have stepped up and sacrificed for us, now we need to do right by them.”
“As a Navy veteran, military spouse, and Mom, I know firsthand how much military families sacrifice,” said Rep. Kiggans. “The fact that they’re forced to pay hundreds of dollars a month to keep their young adult children on TRICARE — while civilians can keep theirs covered at no cost until age 26 — is simply unfair. I’m proud to support this bipartisan legislation to fix that. Our military families deserve the same peace of mind as every other American family — especially when it comes to healthcare.”
“Military families who rely on TRICARE for health care coverage should be treated the same as their civilian counterparts. By providing coverage for military dependents until age 26, the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act will lower healthcare costs for military families and establish equity between TRICARE and private plans,” said With Honor Co-Founder & CEO Rye Barcott. “With Honor Action is proud to endorse this bipartisan legislation as we continue to support service members and their families and honor the sacrifices they’ve made for our country.”
“Ensuring our nation’s all-volunteer force remains strong means prioritizing the health and well-being of military families. A key part of that effort is making TRICARE a competitive, modern health benefit that supports both recruiting and retention,” said Military Officers Association of America President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret). “The post-9/11 generation of military kids are now approaching adulthood. While media coverage of emotional homecomings offered a glimpse into their sacrifices, it barely scratched the surface of the unique challenges they faced. It’s time to honor these sacrifices by ensuring young adults from military families have the same health care protections as their civilian peers. MOAA thanks Congressman Pat Ryan for reintroducing the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act that would align TRICARE with federal requirements for commercial health plans. We appreciate his leadership and are committed to supporting this important effort.”
“Our young adult military kids deserve the same access to healthcare as civilians their age,” said National Military Family Association CEO Besa Pinchotti. “They’ve grown up through two decades of war, combat deployments, and operational tempos that took one or both parents away on a regular basis. We’ve asked them to move every two to three years, start new schools, and make new friends. Many have stepped into caregiving roles as Hidden Helpers. They’ve done everything the country has asked of them — the least we can do is ensure they have the same access to affordable healthcare as their peers.”
“Gold Star Spouses of America strongly supports the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act to end the unjust TRICARE premium requirement for military families with young adult children,” said Gold Star Spouses of America National President Tamra Sipes. “Our military kids already shoulder the weight of sacrifice, and they should never pay extra for the same health care access their civilian peers receive without added cost. This bipartisan fix is long overdue.”
“Our military families should not be asked to accept less than what’s standard in the private sector. The Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act promotes fairness and strengthens readiness by ensuring dependents can stay on TRICARE until age 26 without extra cost. AFSA is proud to support this bill,” said Keith A. Reed, Chief Executive Officer, Air Force Sergeants Association.
“The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is grateful to Representatives Ryan and Higgins and Senators Kelly and Murkowski for reintroducing the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act,” said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder. “By extending TRICARE eligibility up to age 26, thousands of military dependents and surviving children will be ensured access to health care and critical mental health care, saving military and surviving families nearly $8,000 per child each year. We urge Congress to pass this important bipartisan bill!”
Background:
Under current law, TRICARE dependents may only remain on their parents’ policy until they are 21 years old. If they are enrolled as a full-time student in an approved institution and if their parent pays more than half of their financial support, the dependent may remain on their parents’ policy until they turn 23 years old or are out of school, whichever comes first.
Dependents have the option to enroll in the TRICARE Young Adult program, and nearly 33,000 military families choose to do so. However, they must spend between $337 and $727 per month to cover the full cost of the program via a separate monthly premium, in a time when costs are rising and families across the country are feeling a strain on their wallets.
The Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act is endorsed by Air Force Sergeants Association, Air and Space Forces Association, AMVETS, Army Aviation Association of America, American Legion, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, Blinded Veterans Association, Blue Star Families, Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association, United States Coast Guard, Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service, Inc., Fleet Reserve Association, Gold Star Spouses of America, Gold Star Wives of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association, Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, K9s for Warriors, Marine Corps League, Marine Corps Reserve Association, Military Chaplains Association of the United States of America, Military Officers Association of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, National Guard Association of the United States, National Military Family Association, Naval Enlisted Reserve Association, Non Commissioned Officers Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Reserve Organization of America, Service Women’s Action Network, The Independence Fund, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, TREA: The Enlisted Association, United States Army Warrant Officers Association, USCG Chief Petty Officers Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Wounded Warrior Project.
Click here to read the bill text.
