H.R.3594 - Gold Star Spouses Health Care Enhancement Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3594, the Gold Star Spouses Health Care Enhancement Act, aims to amend Title 10 of the United States Code to expand healthcare benefits for Gold Star surviving spouses. Specifically, it removes the three-year time limit on eligibility for TRICARE Prime and dental benefits for surviving spouses of members of the Armed Forces whose death is covered by section 1126 of Title 10.
The bill ensures that these benefits are available regardless of when the service member's death occurred.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Ms. Kaptur and Mr. Bacon and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be to provide continuous healthcare and dental benefits to Gold Star surviving spouses, removing the previous three-year limitation. This would provide greater security and support for those who have lost a spouse in service to the country.
This change would likely increase the utilization of TRICARE Prime and dental benefits by eligible surviving spouses.
It may also necessitate adjustments to the Department of Defense's budget to accommodate the expanded coverage.
Potential Benefits
- Improved Healthcare Access: Surviving spouses gain continuous access to TRICARE Prime and dental benefits, ensuring consistent healthcare coverage.
- Financial Relief: Eliminating the time limit reduces the financial burden on surviving spouses who might otherwise need to seek alternative and potentially more expensive healthcare options.
- Enhanced Support for Gold Star Families: The bill demonstrates a commitment to supporting the families of fallen service members.
- Administrative Simplification: Removing the need to track and enforce the three-year limit could streamline administrative processes.
- Increased Peace of Mind: Knowing that healthcare benefits are secure and ongoing can provide significant peace of mind to surviving spouses.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased Costs: Expanding healthcare benefits will likely increase costs for the Department of Defense and, potentially, taxpayers.
- Potential Strain on Resources: Increased utilization of TRICARE Prime could strain resources within the military healthcare system.
- Administrative Complexity: While intended to simplify, the implementation of the new rules could initially create administrative challenges.
- Limited Scope: The bill only addresses healthcare and dental benefits, potentially leaving other needs of surviving spouses unmet.
- Opportunity Cost: Funds allocated to this expansion could potentially be used for other veteran or military family support programs.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the constitutional principle of providing for the common defense and promoting the general welfare, as outlined in the Preamble. By supporting the families of fallen service members, the government is arguably fulfilling its obligation to care for those who have sacrificed for the nation's security.
Congress has the power to raise and support armies (Article I, Section 8), and this bill can be seen as a component of supporting military personnel and their families.
There are no apparent constitutional conflicts arising from this bill.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).