[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 185 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H9042]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SUPPORT TRICARE FAIRNESS FOR NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE RETIREES

  (Mr. SPANO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SPANO. Madam Speaker, I rise to highlight H.R. 5169, the TRICARE 
Fairness for National Guard and Reserve Retirees Act that I introduced 
with Representative Gabbard earlier today.
  This bipartisan bill aligns the eligibility age for TRICARE Standard, 
Extra, and Prime, which are the healthcare programs for uniformed 
servicemembers, retirees, and their families, with the age at which 
National Guard and Reserve personnel begin receiving their retired pay.
  We have heavily relied upon our National Guard and Reserve personnel 
for the past 20 years, and they have made major contributions to our 
force structure for over 200 years.
  Congress previously recognized their sacrifices by lowering the age 
that they can receive their retired pay based on their Active Duty 
service, but it is not fair that their eligibility for traditional 
TRICARE was left at age 60. This has resulted in early retirees often 
spending the vast majority, if not all, of their pension on TRICARE 
premiums until they reach 60.
  This bill will help these servicemembers transition into retirement 
as intended when Congress reduced their retirement age. I urge my 
colleagues to support this important legislation.

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