Overview
Title
To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand the health care benefits available for Gold Star surviving spouses.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 9974 is like a promise to help with doctor's visits and tooth check-ups for husbands or wives whose military spouses died while serving. It says they can keep getting this help for more than just three years.
Summary AI
H.R. 9974, titled the "Gold Star Spouses Health Care Enhancement Act," aims to improve healthcare benefits for the surviving spouses of military members who have died in service. The bill proposes changes to Title 10 of the United States Code to remove the three-year limit on eligibility for both TRICARE Prime medical benefits and dental benefits for these surviving spouses. These changes will apply to surviving spouses regardless of when their spouse's death occurred, as long as it is covered under the specific section of the law.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, titled the "Gold Star Spouses Health Care Enhancement Act," aims to enhance the health care benefits for surviving spouses of fallen service members, specifically those considered "Gold Star" spouses. This bill seeks to amend Title 10 of the United States Code to provide indefinite eligibility for TRICARE Prime and dental benefits for these individuals, instead of the current three-year limit. The modifications will be applicable regardless of whether the service member's death occurred before the enactment of this Act.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several noteworthy issues arise from the proposed legislation:
Financial Implications: The bill does not clarify the financial impact or budget allocation for the expanded health care benefits. This omission could lead to unforeseen federal spending, raising concerns about budget sustainability.
Broad Eligibility Terms: The application clause of the bill is open-ended concerning the timeframe of past deaths. This vagueness means that spouses of service members who died many years ago might become eligible, significantly increasing the number of beneficiaries and potentially straining resources.
Terminology and Accessibility: The bill uses specific terms like "TRICARE Prime" and refers to sections, such as Section 1126, which may not be immediately clear to those outside military circles. This could create confusion about eligibility and program specifics.
Repetitive Description: The language regarding eligibility criteria is somewhat repetitive. Simplification could help make the bill more accessible and concise.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, this bill may garner positive public sentiment as it seeks to provide ongoing support to the families of individuals who sacrificed their lives for national security. By alleviating financial burdens associated with health care, the bill could improve the quality of life for the surviving spouses of service members. This shows a commitment to acknowledging the enduring sacrifices of military families, potentially positively impacting public perception of governmental support for military families.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Gold Star Surviving Spouses: The direct beneficiaries are likely to experience a significantly positive impact, with lasting health care support ensuring better financial stability and stress reduction over healthcare costs.
Government Budget and Taxpayers: The absence of specified budgetary provisions may concern taxpayers and government financial planners, as unexpected costs without allocated resources could affect other budget areas.
Military Community: The military community may view the legislation as a necessary expansion of benefits representative of national gratitude, potentially enhancing morale and reinforcing the perceived value of service.
The bill's overall impact would largely depend on how effectively it addresses these issues and manages the extended financial requirements. Stakeholders will be watching closely to see how these broader and specific implications unfold.
Issues
The section text does not specify the financial implications or budget allocation for the expanded health care and dental benefits, which could lead to unexpected spending. (Sec. 2)
The application clause is open-ended regarding past deaths without specifying a time frame, which could lead to unforeseen eligibility and cost implications. (Sec. 2(c))
The reference to 'TRICARE Prime' and its three-year time limit could be unclear to those unfamiliar with military health care terminology, potentially causing confusion. (Sec. 2(a))
The phrase 'whose death is covered by section 1126' assumes the reader has easy access to Section 1126 and understands its content, which may not be the case for all stakeholders. Consider adding a brief explanation or context. (Sec. 2(a) & (b))
The language regarding the 'dependent described in subparagraph (B)' is somewhat repetitive, which could be simplified for clarity. (Sec. 2(a) & (b))
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this Act states that the Act is called the “Gold Star Spouses Health Care Enhancement Act.”
2. Expansion of health care benefits for Gold Star surviving spouses Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section expands health care benefits for surviving spouses of fallen service members, allowing them indefinite eligibility for TRICARE Prime and dental benefits, instead of being limited to three years. These changes apply regardless of whether the service member's death happened before or after the law is enacted.