By Amy Dominello, Media General News Service
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WASHINGTON - Transitional health care for members of the military who join the reserves moved a step closer to reality Thursday with passage in the House of a defense spending bill.
The measure, proposed in March by Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Ga., would give six months' free health care to service members who join the reserves. Their families would also receive health care as well.
Bishop attached the provision Thursday to a bill that sets military policy and authorizes $600 billion in defense spending for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.
Currently, service members lose their health care coverage when they complete active duty service. Bishop's proposal would offer health care for service members as they make the transition from active duty to reservists.
The Senate must next approve its version of the defense authorization bill, expected in June. President Bush has threatened a veto because of domestic spending measures in the bill and a timetable to withdraw from Iraq.
Providing health care to troops who join the reserves would cost $22 million a year. Funding would come from a missile defense program.
The extended health care program would be an incentive for members of the military to continue to serve their country when they return to work or go back to school without worrying about having to find health insurance, Bishop said on the House floor.
"In a time when we ask so much of our all-volunteer force, this small measure is a benefit which our service members have earned," he said.
Bishop said that, in turn, the military would bolster its reserve force and further its goal of maintaining a strong, well-trained force.
The proposal would be used to entice the 13,000 troops who leave the military each year to join the reserves, according to Bishop's office.
Bishop's initial bill had the support of 51 co-sponsors from both parties. Bishop's office said the legislation is supported by the National Guard and the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard Reserves.
Contact Amy Dominello at 202-662-7671 or adominello@mediageneral.com
The measure, proposed in March by Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Ga., would give six months' free health care to service members who join the reserves. Their families would also receive health care as well.
Bishop attached the provision Thursday to a bill that sets military policy and authorizes $600 billion in defense spending for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.
Currently, service members lose their health care coverage when they complete active duty service. Bishop's proposal would offer health care for service members as they make the transition from active duty to reservists.
The Senate must next approve its version of the defense authorization bill, expected in June. President Bush has threatened a veto because of domestic spending measures in the bill and a timetable to withdraw from Iraq.
Providing health care to troops who join the reserves would cost $22 million a year. Funding would come from a missile defense program.
The extended health care program would be an incentive for members of the military to continue to serve their country when they return to work or go back to school without worrying about having to find health insurance, Bishop said on the House floor.
"In a time when we ask so much of our all-volunteer force, this small measure is a benefit which our service members have earned," he said.
Bishop said that, in turn, the military would bolster its reserve force and further its goal of maintaining a strong, well-trained force.
The proposal would be used to entice the 13,000 troops who leave the military each year to join the reserves, according to Bishop's office.
Bishop's initial bill had the support of 51 co-sponsors from both parties. Bishop's office said the legislation is supported by the National Guard and the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard Reserves.
Contact Amy Dominello at 202-662-7671 or adominello@mediageneral.com