Concord, N.H. – Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, helped introduce the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act, bipartisan landmark legislation to extend health care coverage to TRICARE (Active Duty and Retired) beneficiaries who have adult children younger than 26 years old, lowering costs and ensuring access for hundreds of thousands of military families across the country. This legislation is sponsored by Congressman Pat Ryan (NY-18).
“We have a sacred obligation to our servicemembers and our military families – that includes ensuring they have the same access to health care coverage as every other American,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “I’m proud to introduce the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act, bipartisan legislation to ensure adult children from military families can keep their TRICARE coverage until they are 26, the same as private insurance plans. This commonsense bill will save hundreds of thousands of American military families thousands of dollars every year.”
“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.”
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. But, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), children up to the age of 26 can remain on their parents’ health insurance plans with no additional out-of-pocket cost. This legislation would ensure equity for military families by bringing eligibility for young adult dependents in line with that offered by private insurance plans.
Nearly 33,000 military families have dependents enrolled in the TRICARE Young Adult program; however, military families must spend between $337 and $727 per month to cover the full cost of the program via a separate monthly premium. At a time when costs are rising and families across the country are feeling a strain on their wallets, this legislation will deliver much-needed relief.
Endorsed by: Air Force Sergeants Association, AMVETS, American Legion, Blinded Veterans Association, Blue Star Families, United States Coast Guard, Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service, Inc., Fleet Reserve Association, Gold Star Spouses of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association, Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, Military Chaplains Association, Military Officers Association of America, National Guard Association of the United States, National Military Family Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Reserve Organization of America, Service Women’s Action Network, The Military Coalition, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, TREA: The Enlisted Association, United States Army Warrant Officers Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, and With Honor Action.
Congresswoman Goodlander has dedicated her life to serving our state and our country. Before taking the oath to represent New Hampshire in the People’s House, Congresswoman Goodlander served as an intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve for over a decade.
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