Portman, Warren Introduce Legislation to Expand Access to Affordable Health Care for Reserve Component Retirees

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced the TRICARE Fairness for National Guard and Reserve Retirees Act to expand access to affordable health care for reserve component retirees who are eligible to receive retired pay before age 60.

Under current law, reserve component personnel may retire below age 60, but not below 50, based on active duty service.  These retirees currently are eligible for costly TRICARE Retired Reserve plans. This bill aligns the age at which many reserve component retirees begin receiving retired pay with the age at which they become eligible for much less costly TRICARE health care plans.  This change can save reserve component retirees and their families who rely on this coverage thousands of dollars per year in premiums.

“We owe our servicemembers a great debt of gratitude for the safety and freedom we enjoy every day. We must continue to correct the disparities in how they receive their benefits,” said Portman. “I am happy that this bipartisan legislation will align the age at which many Retired Reserve personnel will become eligible to access affordable TRICARE health coverage. In addition, I thank my colleague from Ohio Representative Bill Johnson for leading the House companion legislation.”

“Our servicemembers make enormous sacrifices for us and our reservists and National Guardsmen and women who retire early shouldn’t be denied access to affordable healthcare at the time of their retirement,” said Senator Warren. “I’m proud to partner with my colleague Senator Portman on this important legislation to expand access to care.”

“EANGUS would like to thank Sen. Portman and Sen. Warren for their work to provide affordable health care during early retirement of National Guard servicemembers. Affordable health care is vital when determining when a servicemember can fully retire. Our National Guardsmen and women sacrificed during overseas deployments, national disasters, civil unrest, and pandemics so not having to worry about health care at the end of their career is essential to retirement planning,” said Karen M. Craig, Command Sergeant Major (Retired), President, Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States.

“Our nation asks a lot from the reserve component, both abroad and at home. The least we can do after a career of service and sacrifice is to ensure fair health care access for all retirees who are drawing retirement pay. MOAA strongly supports the TRICARE Fairness for National Guard and Reserve Retirees Act and urges swift passage,” said Lt. Gen. Dana T. Atkins, USAF (Ret), MOAA President and CEO.

“ROA Executive Director, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Jeffrey Phillips, commends Sen. Portman and Sen. Warren for their bipartisan TRICARE Fairness for National Guard and Reserve Retirees Act.  Early-age retirees pay a higher cost for health care; this bill ensures all retirees can get the same care at the same cost and has earned ROA’s support:  Our patriots earned early-age retirement with Iraq and Afghanistan deployments, they should not be punished by withholding affordable health care,” said ROA Executive Director, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Jeffrey Phillips.

The National Guard Association of the United States also supports this legislation. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Bill Johnson (R-OH) and Dean Phillips (D-MN).

The text of the bill can be found by clicking here.