Healthcare for Our Troops Act introduced by Sen. Baldwin & Sen. Collins

Healthcare for Our Troops act, a bipartisan bill, US Senator Tammy Baldwin and US Senator Sue Collins introduced. This bill would provide premium-free medical insurance coverage for members of the National Guard and Reserve.

The Healthcare for Our Troops Act, addresses the health concerns for US troops, no matter their duty status. Sixteen percent of Reserve and National Guard members, who volunteered to serve our country do not have private health insurance. That’s roughly 13,000 men and women in the armed forces without having necessary health coverage.

The Healthcare for Our Troops Act, would provide premium-free, zero cost-sharing medical coverage for Selected Reserve members. These members would also be eligible for TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) and address financial barriers to seeking mental health care.

In addition to providing health insurance, the Healthcare for Our Troops Act would also include other changes for health too. The bill would require a study on eliminating annual physicals during military drills. The annual physicals then, would be replaced with forms completed by civilian providers to assess medical readiness.

By having civilian providers assess medical readiness for annual physicals, it would not take away time from military drills. This allows for more time given to commanders for training the National Guard and Reserve.

Not only would more time be available, the legislation would save over $162 million annually in contracted medical assessments. The Healthcare for Our Troops act, then creates an incentive for employers to hire Guard and Reserve members. Leading to less demands for employer-sponsored healthcare plans.

The Healthcare for Our Troops Act, is a companion to bipartisan legislation introduced in the House, led by Rep. Kim (D-NJ) and Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS) with a group of 27 bipartisan cosponsors.

For more information about the Healthcare for our troops act you can look here https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3512?s=1&r=89.

If you would like to read about another health related issue you can read our story here about RSV https://www.wdio.com/front-page/top-stories/rsv-cases-are-still-on-the-rise/