Introduction of Transitional Health Care for the Selected Reserves
Floor Speech
Introduction of Transitional Health Care for the Selected Reserves
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with Representatives Steve Buyer, Gene Taylor, Jeff Miller and 41 additional members, to introduce legislation to provide transitional health care for the Selected Reserves.
When an active duty soldier is involuntarily separated from the Army, he or she is afforded 180 days of transitional health care at no cost. Unfortunately, those soldiers who have served honorably and simply leave active duty at the end of their contractual agreement with one of the military services are not afforded transitional health care.
The brave men and women who join the ranks of our proud military deserve every consideration upon their release from active duty. This legislation provides an important measure to the servicemembers and their families as they move to civilian life. It seeks to keep the skilled military members in the Guard and Reserves.
Without our dedicated Guard and Reserves forces, it is impossible to keep the threat of terrorism at bay and sustain the Global War on Terrorism. Retaining these highly skilled men and women is paramount in maintaining our Nation's security. Skills learned while serving on active duty and carried to the Guard and Reserves will provide for future national and world threats. This small incentive allows departing service members a period of adjustment without worrying about a sudden illness or a health emergency.
It is interesting to note that since September 11, 2001, we have had over 600,000 members of the Guard and Reserves called to active duty. Without the Selected Ready Reserves, our ability to defend against enemies foreign and domestic would be greatly reduced. The strength of our Guard and Reserves has always been those former active duty servicemembers who join their ranks.
Those servicemembers also represent a trained pool of military talent available to serve our Guard and Reserves in a different capacity ..... a citizen patriot. Congress should act quickly to help support our Guard and Reserves by passing this bill. I am proud to sponsor this bill along with the many co-sponsors and encourage you to support this important measure.
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