Bill Overview
Title: Sergeant Gary Beikirch Medal of Honor Act
Description: This bill allows a surviving spouse of a Medal of Honor recipient to receive a special pension concurrently with dependency and indemnity compensation.
Sponsors: Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]
Target Audience
Population: Surviving spouses of deceased Medal of Honor recipients
Estimated Size: 200
- Medal of Honor recipients in the United States are a limited group, with only a few hundred living recipients historically.
- Some Medal of Honor recipients have surviving spouses who are eligible for benefits.
- Surviving spouses of deceased Medal of Honor recipients are the specific target population of this bill.
- This bill impacts financial benefits for this targeted group, specifically allowing them to receive concurrent pensions.
Reasoning
- The policy is aimed at a very specific, small segment of the population, estimated at around 200 individuals being the surviving spouses of deceased Medal of Honor recipients.
- Given the historical context and exclusivity of such military honors, this group doesn't experience significant growth over time.
- Financial benefits like pensions can have a medium to high impact on quality of life for the beneficiaries, as it directly affects their financial stability.
- The policy budget is likely sufficient to cover these individuals given the constrained population size and calculated financial need.
Simulated Interviews
Retired teacher (Virginia)
Age: 78 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a blessing. It acknowledges the sacrifices of our loved ones.
- Financially, it will allow me better access to healthcare.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Mechanic (retired) (Nevada)
Age: 82 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any additional financial assistance can make a real difference in everyday life.
- It feels like a small acknowledgment of everything we've been through.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Part-time volunteer (California)
Age: 72 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's nice to see the government provide concurrent benefits.
- This helps take the edge off worrying about bills.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired nurse (Texas)
Age: 79 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's about time they did something extra for spouses.
- This will give me some breathing space financially.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Retired (Florida)
Age: 68 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The financial benefit is needed; funerals and healthcare can be overwhelming.
- I feel partly relieved.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired librarian (New York)
Age: 85 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The extra financial aid will help me support my community work too.
- It feels like an overdue recognition for us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Part-time teacher (Illinois)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's comforting in a way to know we're not forgotten.
- The extra money will go a long way for the kids.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Retired postal worker (Ohio)
Age: 77 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will help me maintain my home and lifestyle.
- It ensures we are receiving the support needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired seamstress (South Carolina)
Age: 81 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate anything that helps alleviate the financial burdens of aging.
- At this stage, every bit counts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Community volunteer (Pennsylvania)
Age: 73 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It can help me focus more on my community work and less on financial worries.
- I'm glad there's recognition for spouses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000 (Low: $1000000, High: $2000000)
Year 2: $1550000 (Low: $1050000, High: $2050000)
Year 3: $1600000 (Low: $1100000, High: $2100000)
Year 5: $1700000 (Low: $1150000, High: $2200000)
Year 10: $1900000 (Low: $1300000, High: $2500000)
Year 100: $3000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $4000000)
Key Considerations
- This policy impacts only a small group of individuals, namely surviving spouses of Medal of Honor recipients, keeping the fiscal effects limited.
- The annual cost is relatively minor in the context of overall government spending.
- The primary consideration is ensuring the recognition of the sacrifices made by families of Medal of Honor recipients.