Cantwell Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Members of the National Guard & Reserve with Family Health Care & Retirement Benefits
Cantwell Reintroduces Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Members of the National Guard & Reserve with Family Health Care & Retirement Benefits
Cantwell: Health care for members of the National Guard, Reserve, and their families must be a national priority
Nearly three and a half years after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the burden placed upon the families of members of the National Guard and Reserve has never been greater. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell recognizes that burden, and is continuing her push to make sure these heroes and their families receive the benefits they deserve. Along with a bipartisan coalition of senators, Cantwell today reintroduced legislation that improves healthcare access for the families of reservists while enhancing retirement options.
"Members of Washington state's National Guard and Reserve put their lives on the line for this country, while their families face tremendous hardships at home," Cantwell said. "The very least we owe them is uninterrupted healthcare and a reasonable retirement policy."
The legislation, the Guard and Reserve Readiness and Retention Act of 2005, would allow families of all Guard and Reserve members to enroll full time in the military health system, TRI-CARE. This change would allow uninterrupted health insurance that does not depend on the reservist's status. Reservists who choose to remain on a private or employer health plan while serving their country would also receive a portion of their premiums paid for by the government. This would eliminate the financial strain placed on a family that doesn't want to change doctors.
Currently, members of the Guard and Reserve, and their families are only covered by TRICARE when on active duty status. This means they must either undergo confusing health insurance changes - and often times change doctors - when coming on and off active duty, or refuse TRICARE coverage and pay private or employer health plan premiums out of their own pocket.
"Health care for members of the National Guard and Reserve and their families must be a national priority," Cantwell stated.
The bill also provides long-term members of the National Guard and Reserve with an enhanced retirement policy. Citizen soldiers enlisted for more than 20 years would see their retirement age lowered one year for every two additional years they serve.
With about 27,000 members of the National Guard and Reserve from Washington state, this issue is of primary concern for Cantwell. The Reserve has taken charge of the entire peacekeeping mission in the Balkans. In Iraq , Guard and Reserve troops have rotated with active-duty forces, increasing their share of the total U.S. force to about 40%.
http://cantwell.senate.gov/news/releases/2005_02_09_benefits.html