Rep. Kiggans Leads Bipartisan Bill to Expand TRICARE Coverage for Military Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02), a Navy veteran, military spouse, and Mom of four, announced her co-leadership of the bipartisan Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act, which would allow TRICARE dependents to remain on their parents’ plan until age 26. The legislation closes a longstanding gap in military healthcare by aligning TRICARE eligibility with civilian standards under the Affordable Care Act.

The bill reflects a broad, bipartisan commitment to supporting not just those who serve in uniform, but the families who serve alongside them. Congresswoman Kiggans is leading the effort in the House with Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY), while Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) are spearheading the Senate companion.

“As a Navy veteran, military spouse, and Mom, I know firsthand how much military families sacrifice,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “The fact that they’re forced to pay hundreds of dollars a month to keep their young adult children on TRICARE—while civilians can keep theirs covered at no cost until age 26—is simply unfair. I’m proud to support this bipartisan legislation to fix that. Our military families deserve the same peace of mind as every other American family—especially when it comes to healthcare.”

Under current law, TRICARE dependents may remain on a parent’s health plan until age 21—or 23 if enrolled as a full-time student. After that, families must purchase separate coverage through the TRICARE Young Adult program, which can cost between $337 and $727 per month. Nearly 33,000 families currently pay these premiums, creating a significant financial burden.

“Military families have sacrificed so much for this country—it’s absolutely unacceptable that they don’t have access to the same health care as every other American,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “I’m proud that this legislation will right this wrong, especially amid rising health care costs in the Hudson Valley and nationwide. This bill will deliver much-needed relief to military families across the country. By extending TRICARE eligibility to 26, hundreds of thousands of military families will save as much as $8,724 per year. Our military families have stepped up and sacrificed for us, now we need to do right by them.”

The legislation has garnered the support of more than 35 bipartisan House cosponsors and a broad coalition of national military family organizations.

Supporting Statements:

• “If civilians can keep their family members on their healthcare coverage until age 26, it’s just wrong that military family members are treated differently,” said Senator Murkowski. “This common-sense fix will raise the age limit, allowing military dependents to stay on their parent’s insurance plan until 26, the same age as civilians, without a premium increase.”
• “As a Navy combat veteran, I know firsthand the sacrifices military families make,” said Senator Kelly. “They’ve earned access to the same high-quality health care that American families expect. That’s why we’re fixing this gap in TRICARE coverage, so young adult children in military families aren’t left behind.”
• “Military families shouldn’t have to pay more than civilians to provide healthcare to their young adult children,” said Besa Pinchotti, CEO of the National Military Family Association. “The Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act is a commonsense solution.”
• “Ensuring our nation’s all-volunteer force remains strong means prioritizing the health and well-being of military families. A key part of that effort is making TRICARE a competitive, modern health benefit that supports both recruiting and retention,” said Military Officers Association of America President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret). “The post-9/11 generation of military kids are now approaching adulthood. While media coverage of emotional homecomings offered a glimpse into their sacrifices, it barely scratched the surface of the unique challenges they faced. It’s time to honor these sacrifices by ensuring young adults from military families have the same health care protections as their civilian peers. MOAA thanks Congressman Pat Ryan for reintroducing the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act that would align TRICARE with federal requirements for commercial health plans. We appreciate his leadership and are committed to supporting this important effort.”

• “Our military families should not be asked to accept less than what’s standard in the private sector,” said Keith A. Reed, CEO of the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA). “This bill promotes fairness and strengthens readiness.”
• “By extending TRICARE eligibility up to age 26, thousands of military dependents and surviving children will be ensured access to health care and critical mental health care, saving military and surviving families nearly $8,000 per child each year,” said Bonnie Carroll, President and Founder of TAPS.
• “Gold Star Spouses of America strongly supports the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act to end the unjust TRICARE premium requirement for military families with young adult children,” said Gold Star Spouses of America National President Tamra Sipes. “Our military kids already shoulder the weight of sacrifice, and they should never pay extra for the same health care access their civilian peers receive without added cost. This bipartisan fix is long overdue.”
• “Military families who rely on TRICARE for health care coverage should be treated the same as their civilian counterparts. By providing coverage for military dependents until age 26, the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act will lower healthcare costs for military families and establish equity between TRICARE and private plans,” said With Honor Co-Founder & CEO Rye Barcott. “With Honor Action is proud to endorse this bipartisan legislation as we continue to support service members and their families and honor the sacrifices they’ve made for our country.”

You can find the full text of this bill here.

You can find a one pager on this bill here.

The Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act would:

• Extend TRICARE eligibility to age 26 for all dependents, without requiring separate enrollment or premiums.
• Bring TRICARE in line with civilian insurance requirements under the Affordable Care Act.
• Save an estimated 367,000 military families up to $8,724 annually in healthcare costs.

Background:

• Originally introduced in the 118th Congress, the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act now boasts more than 35 bipartisan cosponsors in the House and the support of over 20 national organizations. 
• The bill supports recruitment and retention by ensuring military benefits reflect modern standards of family care.

Endorsing Organizations Include:
MOAA, AFSA, VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, National Military Family Association, Gold Star Spouses of America, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, The Military Coalition, TAPS, With Honor Action, Blue Star Families, Reserve Organization of America, and more.