Keeping children on Medicaid tied to their home state through their military career, rather than being forced to reapply with location assignment changes, has been proposed by senators from Connecticut and North Carolina.
Care of Military Kids Act, authored by Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., already has the endorsement of the National Guard Association of the United States, the National Military Families Organization, and Blue Star Families. The senators say when military members move, “current Medicaid regulations force military families to reapply for their children’s long-term Medicaid throughout the military career.”
Additionally, Blumenthal and Virginia Republican Sen. Jen Kiggans also introduced the Servicemember Healthcare Freedom Act, the Coast Guard Parity Act, and the Bonus Act.
“Our bipartisan, bicameral legislative package will make a real difference in servicemembers’ lives – expanding benefits and improving health care for their loved ones,” Blumenthal said. “Our common-sense reforms honor the service and sacrifice military families make every day. By easing the financial burden on families and ensuring access to critical health care coverage, our measures will improve the quality of life for thousands of military families.”
Kiggans is a Navy spouse and mother of four. She said families deserve more than words of appreciation.
“Whether it’s ensuring National Guard members are able to choose the health care that works best for them and their families, fixing gaps in Medicaid coverage when families move between states, or making sure Coast Guardsmen can finish their careers with dignity, these bills are about honoring service with real, meaningful support,” she said.
Tillis said the consistent access to critical health care should always be there for children of military families.
“This bipartisan legislation will allow these families to maintain access to care, giving our servicemembers the peace of mind they deserve,” he said.
The Servicemember Healthcare Freedom Act enables Selected Reserve and National Guard members in the federal government to choose between military and civilian health care plans. Federal law doesn’t allow Reserves and the Guard who are federal employees and eligible for federal health benefits to participate in the Department of Defense’s TRICARE system.
The Coast Guard Parity Act would ensure enlisted Coast Guardsmen with 18 years but fewer than 20 years are retained until they reach 20 unless separated for cause of misconduct. The Coast Guard is the only branch of service not providing this protection.
The Bonus Act makes military recruitment and retention bonuses tax-free.
