Graves Introduces Legislation to Extend TRICARE Coverage

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) has introduced legislation to make it easier for dependent children of military families to remain on their parents' TRICARE health insurance plan until the age of 26. Under current law, children must enroll in their own plan through a completely separate program. Graves' bill, the TRICARE Family Improvement Act (H.R. 3974), would streamline the process so that children are able to seamlessly remain covered by their parents' TRICARE plan.

Currently, TRICARE coverage for children on their family plans ends when a dependent child turns 21 - or 23 if the child is enrolled in college, which is three years earlier than what is now typically allowable for non-military families. The cost of this bill will be fully offset with cuts to foreign aid accounts in the federal budget.

"Considering the sacrifice made by our military families, I don't think it is asking too much to allow them to stay on as long as non-military children are allowed to, and save a few extra dollars on their health insurance costs," Graves said.

"Our government already spends too much money on wasteful foreign aid programs, like green energy programs in Africa, or climate change initiatives in Asia. Cutting spending to these senseless items in order to prioritize caring for the families of brave Americans who protect our freedom on the front lines is something we should all get behind," Graves said of his proposed plan to pay for any costs associated with the legislation.

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