Blumenthal, Kiggans & Kim Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Expand Healthcare Options for Reservists & National Guardsmen

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representatives Jen Kiggans (R-VA) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) led the introduction of bipartisan, bicameral legislation to expand affordable healthcare options for members of the Selected Reserve and National Guard. The Servicemember Healthcare Freedom Act allows members of the Selected Reserve and National Guard who are also employed by the federal government to choose between military and civilian healthcare plans.

“Servicemembers and their families make sacrifices every day in service to our country, and we have an obligation to make sure they have access to affordable, quality healthcare,” said Blumenthal. “With the Servicemember Healthcare Freedom Act, we provide servicemembers the ability to choose which care plans best suit their needs, ensuring they are able to receive essential care while avoiding costly plans and expensive out-of-pocket costs.” 

“The men and women in the National Guard and Reserves stand ready to defend our nation at a moment’s notice and they deserve to have healthcare that is commensurate with their service,” said Kiggans. “My bipartisan bill will give eligible members of the National Guard and Reserves the access to TRICARE they should already have. As a former Navy helicopter pilot, Navy wife, and now Navy mom, I will always fight to take care of our men and women in uniform!”

“Our National Guard and Reserve members bravely volunteer to wear our country’s uniform and deserve straightforward and comprehensive access to military benefits. I am proud to help introduce this legislation to urgently ensure thousands of federally employed servicemembers can access TRICARE coverage and select the healthcare plan that is best for them and their families. This important step would not only lower servicemembers’ healthcare costs and look after military families’ healthcare needs, but improve overall military retention and readiness,” said Kim.

The Servicemember Healthcare Freedom Act rectifies a long-standing issue with the Tricare Reserve Select (TRS) program. While TRS is a more affordable health insurance option for many members of the Selected Reserve and National Guard, current federal law prohibits these servicemembers from enrolling in TRS if they are eligible for Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) plans under their civilian employment. As a result, these servicemembers are often forced into more costly healthcare plans. The Servicemember Healthcare Freedom Act would end this prohibition, allowing all servicemembers to choose between the healthcare plans and providing access to more affordable and satisfactory plans.

The legislation is co-sponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ).

“We have a solemn duty to take care of the men and women who serve in our armed forces. An important piece of that is ensuring they can get the health care and benefits they deserve,” said Smith. “This bill will allow members of the Selected Reserve and National Guard who are employed by the federal government to choose for themselves what health care plan works best for them, reducing out of pocket costs and minimizing gaps in coverage.”

“Members of the Reserves and National Guard should have access to the benefits they've earned,” said Fetterman. “Unfortunately, Guardsmen and Reservists who are also federal employees are inexplicably prohibited from enrolling in TRICARE Reserve Select, an affordable health care option. This is a good, no-nonsense bill that will fix a clear problem and I’m proud to cosponsor it.”

“Arizona servicemembers and their families make difficult sacrifices to keep us safe and secure – it’s our responsibility to ensure they’re supported. Our legislation ensures members of the National Guard and Reserves receive the quality, affordable health care they’ve earned,” said Sinema. 

The Servicemember Healthcare Freedom Act is endorsed by the National Guard Association of the United States (NGUAS), the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS), and the Reserve Organization of America (ROA).

“Guardsmen have an unparalleled commitment to serving our country. Those who are also federal employees should not be penalized and forced into a more expensive healthcare plan,” said retired Major General Francis M. McGinn, the NGAUS president. “Removing this barrier strengthens our federal workforce and eases the financial burden for our military families. It is a straightforward win. We appreciate Sen. Blumenthal for this effort and ask for the full support of Congress.”

“This pivotal legislation represents a significant stride forward in recognizing and addressing the unique needs of our service members who serve both in uniform and as civilians within the federal government. This bill is more than a policy change; it's a testament to our Nation's respect for their dual service and a commitment to their health and well-being. EANGUS supports this legislation and thanks Senator Blumenthal and Representatives Kim and Kiggans for their leadership. Together, we can enhance the readiness and vitality of our Armed Forces, ensuring they are as robust and resilient as the Nation they protect," said Daniel Reilly, EANGUS President.

“It is unacceptable that more than one hundred thousand Reserve and National Guard service members and dual-status technicians must pay over 100 percent more for their healthcare until 2030,” said the ROA’s executive director Jeff Phillips. “ROA thanks Representatives Andy Kim and Jen Kiggans and Senator Richard Blumenthal for sponsoring the Servicemember Healthcare Freedom Act, which reduces out-of-pocket expenses and provides continuity of care for reserve component members and dual-status technicians to ensure readiness and improve retention now.”

The full text of the bill can be found here.

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