Bill Overview
Title: Healthcare for Our Troops Act
Description: This bill addresses TRICARE Reserve Select coverage and eligibility for Selected Reserve members of the Ready Reserve and their families. Among other elements, the bill provides eligibility for TRICARE Reserve Select to Selected Reserve members of the Ready Reserve who are eligible for or enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
Sponsors: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Target Audience
Population: Selected Reserve members of the Ready Reserve and their families
Estimated Size: 500000
- The bill focuses on TRICARE Reserve Select coverage, which is healthcare specific to military personnel in the reserves.
- Selected Reserve members of the Ready Reserve include a large number of individuals across different branches of the U.S. military.
- The eligibility extension to those also eligible or enrolled in Federal Employees Health Benefits Program expands coverage.
- The target population would include both the servicemen and women and their families currently identified as Selected Reserve members.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically targets members of the Selected Reserve and their families, focusing on improving healthcare access by expanding TRICARE eligibility. It is crucial to consider individuals directly within this group and also some that might be minimally or indirectly affected by the changes.
- The budget constraints highlight the need to impact primarily those directly eligible while limiting expansion to non-target groups.
- Considering the mix of beneficiaries, we made sure to include different demographics among the Selected Reserve as well as family members.
- We also included perspectives of those not directly eligible but connected to the military, such as regular civilians, to understand the breadth of perception.
Simulated Interviews
Army Reserve Officer (Fort Bragg, NC)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could significantly ease the financial strain on my family due to healthcare costs.
- The expansion on TRICARE could allow for better healthcare access for my children specifically.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Navy Reserve Medic (San Diego, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems like it could help balance my healthcare costs along with my studies.
- I'm hopeful but cautious about how quickly it will be implemented.
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 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Private Sector, Former Army Reserve (Dallas, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's great to see additional support extended to younger colleagues still in the service, though it won't impact me directly.
- Family members will likely benefit, improving their security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Air Force Reserve Pilot (Seattle, WA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy change seems to be a solid step in the right direction for my colleagues with families.
- Personally, the impact might not be felt immediately, but optimistic.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Marine Reserve Corporal (Boston, MA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could reduce the strains as we try to coordinate multiple health plans.
- Eligibility expansion is a relief; it secures a backup.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Elementary School Teacher (Rural Iowa)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We're delightfully surprised by the policy, which could potentially ease our monthly budgets.
- Healthcare takes a strain off other financial plans too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
IT Professional (New York, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy doesn't directly change anything for myself, but my brothers-in-arms can benefit!
- It's a positive for community morale.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Reserve Supply Specialist (Anchorage, AK)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The health coverage expansion allows greater choice, which is freeing.
- Healthcare security is always a major worry and this helps.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Railroad Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Though I wish more factors applied to everybody, it's good to see friends in the reserve get benefits.
- Policies like this tend to be a positive reflection for the community support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Army Reserve Administrator (Miami, FL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to comprehensive care has always been my advocacy focus, and this bill aligns with my work.
- The community will see massive improvements in financial and emotional well-being.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2700000000 (Low: $2200000000, High: $3200000000)
Year 2: $2800000000 (Low: $2300000000, High: $3300000000)
Year 3: $2900000000 (Low: $2400000000, High: $3400000000)
Year 5: $3100000000 (Low: $2500000000, High: $3500000000)
Year 10: $3500000000 (Low: $2900000000, High: $4100000000)
Year 100: $4800000000 (Low: $4000000000, High: $5600000000)
Key Considerations
- The overlapping coverage with the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program could provide a unique opportunity to study cost efficiencies and duplications.
- Accurate estimates depend heavily on the current health status and utilization patterns of reservists and their families.
- Implementation should consider potential administrative burden on TRICARE systems, which may require modernization efforts.