On the Eve of Memorial Day 2025, Kaptur and Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Gold Star Spouse Healthcare Enhancement Act to Extend Care For Spouses of Fallen Soldiers
Toledo, Ohio – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), a senior member of House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, and Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation introduced the bipartisan Gold Star Spouse Healthcare Enhancement Act. Currently, surviving spouses retain healthcare coverage through TRICARE in the “active-duty family member” category for just three years after their servicemember passes away. After three years, they automatically shift to “retired family member” status, which forces them to pay higher fees and out-of-pocket costs. This Act effectively removes the three-year limitation for Gold Star Spouses, enabling them to retain “active-duty family member” status and eligibility for healthcare coverage.
“As we approach Memorial Day, Congressman Bacon of Nebraska and I have introduced a bipartisan bill to recognize the sacrifice of Gold Star spouses by expanding their healthcare benefits. Military service requires our men and women to risk their lives fighting and defeating America’s enemies,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “They selflessly put self above country and accept this risk to secure Liberty across the globe. We owe so much to those who answered the call to serve, and perished in defense of our nation. Caring for their surviving spouses is a part of that commitment. I encourage our colleagues to support the Gold Star Spouses Healthcare Enhancement Act as one small way we can honor the debt that surviving spouses are owed by our grateful nation.”
“As a nation we have a responsibility to the Gold Star spouses of servicemembers who sacrificed their lives overseas defending the United States' interests, and this legislation is a small step forward in honoring their sacrifice and caring for their families,” said Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02). “Current law makes thousands of Gold Star spouses pay the retiree rate for healthcare. The Gold Star Spouse TRICARE Act of 2024 will allow Gold Star spouses to be treated as 'active-duty members' instead of a family member of a retiree so they will no longer have to incur additional costs to either continue TRICARE Prime or transition to TRICARE Select.”
You can find a full copy of the bill text for the Gold Star Spouse Healthcare Enhancement Act by clicking here.
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