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Baldwin Bill Aims to Eliminate healthcare Costs for National Guard and Reserve Members
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Legislation introduced by Senator tammy Baldwin seeks to provide premium-free healthcare coverage to all members of the National Guard and Reserve, addressing a critical gap in access and bolstering national readiness.
Senator Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., last week unveiled the Healthcare for our troops Act, a bill designed to eliminate out-of-pocket healthcare costs for approximately 130,000 National Guard and Reserve members currently lacking private health insurance. The proposed legislation would grant access to premium-free medical insurance through TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS).
Currently, TRS requires members to pay premiums for both medical and dental coverage. This financial burden, advocates argue, hinders recruitment, retention, and overall readiness.
Strengthening Readiness and supporting Service Members
The bill’s proponents emphasize that comprehensive healthcare isn’t merely a benefit, but a fundamental necessity for maintaining a prepared and effective fighting force. “the national Guard is continually on the front lines both at home and abroad. Comprehensive healthcare is not a benefit; it’s a necessity for readiness,” stated retired Maj. Gen.Francis M. McGinn, president of the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS). “Our Guard members need this, and our nation needs them.”
McGinn expressed gratitude to senator Baldwin and her staff for their dedication to the National Guard and their work on this crucial initiative.
Baldwin highlighted the moral imperative of ensuring healthcare access for those who serve, stating at the 147th NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition in Milwaukee on August 23rd, “I believe it is indeed morally wrong. It is bad for preparedness and readiness. And, yes, we need to change it.”
Key Provisions of the Healthcare for our Troops Act
Beyond expanding access to TRS without premiums, the bill addresses several other critical areas:
- No-Notice Deployment Physicals: The legislation aims to streamline access to necessary physical examinations for service members facing short-notice deployments, ensuring they are medically prepared for service.
- Employer Incentives: The bill includes provisions designed to encourage employers to actively recruit and hire members of the national Guard and Reserve.
- cost-sharing Elimination: The Act would guarantee access to healthcare services provided by network providers without any cost-sharing requirements for service members.
- Preventive and Mental Healthcare: The bill seeks to improve affordability and access to vital preventive medical services, including crucial mental health care resources.
Senator Baldwin Honored for Service
Senator Baldwin was recently awarded the Harry S. Truman Award, NGAUS’s highest honor, recognizing her unwavering commitment to the National Guard. A video of her remarks at the NGAUS conference, beginning at 13:25, can be viewed here.
