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New legislation in the Senate would ensure that every National Guardsman has medical coverage.
Introduced by Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., the Healthcare for Our Troops Act (S. 2575) would offer premium-free, zero-cost-share medical coverage to every member of the Guard and Reserve through TRICARE, the military’s health insurance program.
About 130,000 Guardsmen and Reservists currently have no medical coverage. Hundreds of thousands more pay for their own coverage or rely on employer-provided health insurance.
Baldwin spoke at the 147th General Conference & Exhibition on Saturday in Milwaukee, where she received the NGAUS Harry S. Truman Award, the association’s highest honor.
“We’ve fallen short in a pretty crucial area and that is basic health care,” she told attendees. “I believe that’s morally wrong. It’s bad for preparedness and readiness. And yes, we need to change it.”
“Readiness begins with wellness, and wellness begins with access,” said retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, the NGAUS president. “For less than 1% of the Department of Defense health care budget, we can ensure a ready reserve component.
“Our Guardsmen need this, and our nation needs them,” he added. “I thank Senator Baldwin and her staff for their dedication to the National Guard and for their work on this effort.”
Current law provides coverage to part-time Guardsmen and Reservists only when they are federally mobilized on orders for more than 30 days. Most of the Guard’s domestic missions are of a shorter duration. Many are conducted under state active duty, which provides no health care.
In addition, Guardsmen must also be medically ready to respond to the state or nation with little to no notice. This can be challenging for the almost one in five who have no private coverage and lack access to routine, preventive health care, McGinn added.
Zero-cost TRICARE is a top NGAUS legislative priority.
Both the House and Senate have considered legislation to expand medical coverage to part-time service members in recent years. Major legislation such as this often requires several years to win congressional approval.
S. 2575 would enroll Guardsmen and Reservists into TRICARE Reserve Select at no cost.
TRS is currently a partially subsidized program for drilling Guardsmen and Reservists. They cover a monthly premium and co-pays for services. The legislation would eliminate all those costs.
That would provide Guardsmen and Reservists medical coverage on par with their active-component counterparts, McGinn said.
“We would never debate the need to provide medical coverage for active-component troops,” he said. “We need to view Guard Soldiers and Airmen in the same light.”
By John Goheen
