REP. ANDREWS SUPPORTS EXTENDING HEALTH CARE BENEFITS FOR RESERVISTS AND NATIONAL GUARD

Every year congress passes a renewed version of the National Defense Authorization Act which realigns the priorities of the Department of Defense and determines the salaries and benefits of the brave men and women who protect our freedom. On May 25, 2005, the House voted on the FY06 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1815) and overwhelmingly passed it. This legislation was, however, missing a key amendment poised to extend health care benefits to our Reservists and National Guard. I supported my colleague on the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Gene Taylor, in defending this important amendment for our troops.

Our Reservists and National Guard have been asked to work as never before in the war of terror. They are mobilizing for extended periods and often face the same dangers as our standing military. Currently, the Guard, Reservists, and their families are only covered by TRICARE health insurance while on active duty. A 2003 report form the Government Accounting Office showed that forty percent of all Reservists between the ages of nineteen and thirty-five do not have health insurance. The amendment which I supported would have allowed these troops, such as those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, to retain TRICARE at an affordable cost. While the National Defense Authorization Act did introduce some positive enhancements to our troops’ benefits, including an increased capacity for mental health care in the military health system, the passed bill falls far short of what we owe our Reservists and Guard. That is why I will continue to support Congressional efforts to extend health benefits for these vital troops. I have recently cosponsored the National Guard and Reserve Comprehensive Health Benefits Act (H.R. 1478) towards this goal. This bill is currently referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations on which I sit as a ranking member. Please visit http://thomas.loc.gov to track the progress of House legislation. 

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