WASHINGTON, D.C. – Monday Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, introduced H.R. 5304, the Health Expansion Loss Prevention (HELP) Veterans Act to extend the six months of healthcare and dental coverage provided to service members released from active duty under the Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) to one full year of coverage.
According to the FY2016 Evaluation of the TRICARE Program: Access, Cost, and Quality, Fiscal Year 2016 Report, 59,678 members were enrolled in TAMP. Although the Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that the veteran unemployment rate has improved to 5.8 percent since August 2015, there are still too many veterans who face challenges in gaining access to quality healthcare. Currently, the TAMP program provides 180 days of health care benefits to service members and their families to extend healthcare coverage during their shift into civilian life.
“As our economy continues to recuperate, it is important that we lessen the burden for our returning service members and their families. During the difficult time of transition to civilian life, no service member should worry about securing health care coverage for their family,” said Congressman Veasey. “The FY17 National Defense Appropriations Act did not provide an extended time for this important program, which is why I introduced the HELP Veterans Act so that our military families can ensure there are no gaps in health care coverage as they secure long-time employment and housing.”
While a six-month period of transition can be a sufficient amount of time to secure healthcare coverage through other means, the additional challenges veterans face when assimilating into civilian life can extend the amount of time it takes to secure meaningful employment and accompanying healthcare coverage. Additionally, the TAMP extension would assist many veterans as they wait on a decision from the Department of Veteran Affairs on disability and long-term health coverage for specific injuries from their time in active duty.
Congressman Veasey represents the DFW Metroplex, which contains roughly 18,000 veterans.
