[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 113 (Tuesday, September 4, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S9079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KENNEDY:
  S. 1402. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to fully 
integrate the beneficiaries of the Individual Case Management Program 
into the TRICARE program, to provide long-term health care benefits 
under the TRICARE program and otherwise to improve the benefits 
provided under the TRICARE program, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Armed Services.
 Mr. KENNEDY. Madam President, today, I am introducing 
legislation to ensure that disabled family members of our active duty 
military have greater access to the health care they deserve.
  Early last year, a young man in the United States Air Force drove 
over 12 hours with his wife and disabled 4 year old daughter to testify 
about how important it was to make Medicaid more accessible. Why? 
Because the military health care system does not provide for his 
daughter's needs, and Medicaid does. But, in order to continue her 
eligibility for Medicaid, this service member could not accept his 
promotion to the next rank.
  No member of the Armed Forces, who risk their lives for our country 
should ever be put in a position of having to decide between health 
care for their disabled child and doing their job for our country. Nor 
should these families have to rely on Medicaid to find health care that 
works. This bill corrects the injustices these families have suffered. 
The TRICARE Modernization Act integrates services for disabled 
dependents into the basic military health benefit program, so that no 
medically necessary services can be denied. It allows disabled 
dependents to receive care that is necessary to maintain their 
functions and prevent further deterioration of their disability. It 
provides skilled nursing care as long as is necessary, and is 
coordinated with Medicare. And, it authorizes respite care, hearing 
aids, and other therapies to help a disabled person stay or become 
independent.
  We know how far we have come in the ongoing battle over many decades 
to guarantee that disabled people have the independence they need to be 
participating members of their communities. Our military families with 
disabled dependents should not be denied that opportunity.
  Enactment of this legislation is one of the most significant steps we 
can take in this Congress. It offers a new and better life to large 
numbers of military families. It gives servicemen and women, and their 
disabled family members, the health care they need. And, most important 
for active duty military members and their families, it ensures that 
disability need no longer end the American dream.

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