TRICARE Affirmation Act Introduced to Clarify Health Coverage for Military Personnel and Families

Strategic Insights -

Senator Jim Webb's bill aims to address concerns about the future of TRICARE and other military health care programs, providing a clear statement in law that these plans meet the minimum essential coverage required under the health care reform bill. A companion bill, introduced by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, was approved by the House of Representatives with a unanimous vote. The TRICARE Affirmation Act seeks to reassure servicemembers and beneficiaries that the coverage provided by TRICARE will exceed the minimal essential coverage required under the health care reform bill.

Key Takeaways:

  • The TRICARE Affirmation Act would explicitly state in law that TRICARE and Department of Defense (DOD) nonappropriated fund (NAF) health plans meet the minimum essential coverage for individual health insurance required by the health care reform bill.
  • The bill would change the tax code to provide clarification, ensuring that beneficiaries of these programs will not be required to purchase additional coverage.
  • The bill was introduced by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) and has a companion bill in the House, introduced by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO).
  • The United States Code (USC) would be amended to include the following language: "TRICARE, TRICARE for Life, and the Department of Defense nonappropriated fund (NAF) health plans...meet the minimum essential coverage for individual health insurance."
  • The bill would provide reassurance to servicemembers and beneficiaries that their current health care coverage will be sufficient under the health care reform bill.
  • Senator Jim Webb emphasized the importance of providing the best health care coverage for military service members, their families, and veterans, citing his own personal experience growing up in the military and serving in Vietnam.

Statistics:

  • The House of Representatives approved Senator Skelton's companion bill with a vote of 403 to 0.
  • TRICARE, TRICARE for Life, and DOD NAF health plans provide coverage to over 9.4 million beneficiaries, including active-duty service members, retirees, and their families (Source: TRICARE website).

Sources:

  • Senator Jim Webb's bill, The TRICARE Affirmation Act (http://www.scribd.com/doc/28755040/The-TriCare-Affirmation-Act)
  • TRICARE website (http://www.tricare.mil/)