National Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 2010

Floor Speech

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Mr. LATTA. I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the TRICARE Continuity of Coverage for National Guard and Reserve Families Act of 2009, of which I'm a cosponsor and which was amended into the National Defense Authorization Act.

Members of our National Guard and Reserves are eligible for TRICARE health insurance during their service and after the age of 60 but not during the time in between, the time in between when they retire until the age of 60, being referred to as being in the ``gray area. ``

Specifically, ``gray area'' retirees are Reserve component retirees under the age of 60 with more than 20 years of faithful and honorable service who have qualified for retirement at age 60.

The legislation fills in that gray area to ensure that these men and women have the opportunity to purchase TRICARE Standard health care coverage during that time and provides access to the care they deserve. This legislation is important because currently around 50 percent of those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are Reservists and National Guard. And this option for purchasing TRICARE Standard will serve as an incentive for those Guardsmen and Reservists to continue to serve.

I thank the Armed Services Committee, the chairman, and the ranking member for including this important legislation in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010.

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