SENATOR BALDWIN INTRODUCES BILL TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL TROOPS

The following information was released by Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin:

Roughly 130,000 men and women in the National Guard and Reserve do not have health insurance

WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Healthcare for Our Troops Act, legislation to provide premium-free medical insurance coverage for all members of the National Guard and Reserve. Sixteen percent of Reserve and National Guard members roughly 130,000 men and women who have volunteered to serve our country do not have private health insurance.

"Our service members in the National Guard and Reserve serve and sacrifice for their nation every day and just like the brave men and women in every other service branch, they deserve and have earned high quality, affordable health care," said Senator Baldwin. "My bill doesn't just deliver earned benefits to our troops, it's also an investment in military readiness to ensure service members get the care they need to stay healthy."

The Healthcare for Our Troops Act would provide premium-free, zero cost-sharing medical coverage for Selected Reserve members eligible for TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) and address financial barriers to seeking mental health care.

In addition to providing health insurance, the legislation would provide servicemembers with the option to complete annual medical readiness requirements with their preferred civilian provider giving commanders back valuable training days and saving over $162 million annually in contracted medical assessments. The legislation would also create an incentive for employers to hire Guard and Reserve members by lessening demand for employer-sponsored healthcare plans.

The legislation is supported by National Guard Association of the United States, Wisconsin National Guard Association, Wisconsin National Guard Enlisted Association, and Reserve Organization of America.

"The Healthcare for Our Troops Legislation is a bipartisan solution that strengthens our military from the ground up. As President of the Wisconsin National Guard Association, I have seen firsthand how a lack of healthcare coverage impacts readiness, retention, and the wellbeing of our Guardsmen and their families. Our service members are asked to do more than everresponding to domestic emergencies, deploying overseas, filling critical roles. They deserve continuous, no-cost access to healthcare to ensure they remain healthy, resilient, and mission-ready. We are grateful to Senator Baldwin for her leadership and continued advocacy, and we urge Congress to advance this important legislation," said Jeannie Jeanetta, President of the Wisconsin National Guard Association.

"The Wisconsin National Guard Enlisted Association (WNGEA) is grateful for the proposal of the Healthcare for our Troops bill, which will ensure that Soldiers and Airmen have access to consistent healthcare when meeting medical readiness requirements. This bill eliminates the need for healthcare transitions when switching between state and federal duty statuses when activated, allowing Guardsmen to focus on the mission instead of worrying about lapses in healthcare. WNGEA is greatly appreciative of Senator Baldwin's support for the National Guard and the continual emphasis for ensuring military members and their families are provided for," said the Wisconsin National Guard Enlisted Association.

"The National Guard is continually on the front lines both at home and abroad. Comprehensive healthcare is not a benefit; it's a necessity for readiness," said retired Major General Francis M. McGinn, NGAUS president. "Readiness begins with wellness, and wellness begins with access. For less than one percent of the DoD healthcare budget, we can ensure a ready Reserve Component. Our Guard members need this, and our nation needs them. I thank Senator Baldwin and her staff for their dedication to the National Guard and for their work on this effort."