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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bill helps Guardsmen’s coverage

Raju Chebium Gannett News Service

WASHINGTON — Thousands of National Guardsmen and military reservists would receive the same health coverage as full-time soldiers under a congressionally approved plan headed to the White House.

The Pentagon has six months to notify eligible troops that they can enroll for the full-time military’s Tricare plan, but first the president has to sign the bill into law.

The Tricare expansion, which would cost $150 million next year, was part of a defense bill that passed over the weekend without votes being recorded.

More than 160,000 guardsmen and reservists are on active duty. It won’t be clear how many are eligible for Tricare until the Pentagon finishes notifying them.

Six senators championed the plan. Republicans were Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Mike DeWine of Ohio and Saxby Chambliss of Georgia. The Democrats were Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Hillary Clinton of New York and Tom Daschle of South Dakota.

Daschle, the minority leader, said nearly 4,000 South Dakotans have been called up since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

“We have made much progress on behalf of those troops who are defending this country,” he said. “Because of this legislation, they now will be eligible for benefits from the military health program.”

Under current law, Guardsmen and reservists can get Tricare coverage only while on active duty. Otherwise, they must rely on employer-provided or privately purchased plans.

The new proposal would allow them to keep Tricare coverage as long as they serve. Specifically, those on active duty for three months would receive a year of Tricare coverage. For every three additional months, they would be eligible for an extra year.

The Defense Department, which has opposed previous reiterations of the Tricare expansion as too costly, would pick up 72 percent of the cost. The remaining 28 percent would come out of the individual’s pocket as premiums — $530 a year for an individual and $1,860 for a family.

Full-time soldiers receive free coverage.