WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Pennsylvania U.S. Senator John Fetterman joined 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.
The legislation is led by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representatives Jen Kiggans (R-VA) and Andy Kim (D-NJ). In addition to Senator Fetterman (D-PA), U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) have cosponsored the bill.
“Members of the Reserves and National Guard should have access to the benefits they’ve earned,” said Senator 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.”
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).
The full text of the bill can be found here.