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U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, D-IL, and U.S. Representatives Terri Sewell, D-AL-7, and Andy Kim, D-NJ-3, introduced the Improving Access to Prenatal Care for Military Families Act. The legislation would create a Department of Defense (DoD) pilot program to designate pregnancy as a Qualifying Life Event under the TRICARE program, empowering dependents of service members to choose a health care plan that meets their needs during pregnancy. This legislation builds on Senator Duckworth’s, Congressman Kim’s, and Congresswoman Sewell’s bicameral efforts to include a version of this bill in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act.
“After all the sacrifices they make for our nation each and every day, our military families should never have to face arbitrary, needless barriers just to access prenatal care,” said Senator Duckworth. “I’m proud to work with Senator-elect Kim and Congresswoman Sewell to introduce this bicameral legislation, which would help make it easier for our brave servicemembers and military spouses to access the high-quality care they need and deserve as they build their families. It’s the right thing to do, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure this commonsense policy is included in the final defense bill.”
“Our military families take on extraordinary challenges each and every day,” said Congresswoman Sewell. “Accessing quality maternal health care services should not be one of them. This legislation offers greater flexibility to our expectant military families by empowering pregnant military spouses to choose the health care plan that best meets their needs. I thank Senator Duckworth and Congressman Kim for the partnership and look forward to getting this bill passed and signed into law.”
“For their dedicated service and sacrifices on behalf of our nation, military families deserve healthcare options that can meet their evolving needs,” said Congressman Kim. “I am proud to work with Senator Duckworth and Congresswoman Sewell on this legislation to give some peace of mind to servicemembers, military spouses, and their growing families. As they continue to be there for us, this designation would help look after them in a time when having the maternal care they need couldn’t be more important.”
The challenges of the military lifestyle and the unique nature of the military health system can make it difficult for families to access the care they need. The complex system of military hospitals and clinics can be hard to navigate. Insufficient capacity in the civilian care network disproportionately impacts military families, who must reestablish care with every military ordered move. These difficulties are especially troublesome during pregnancy, when early, regular access to care is critical to the health of the mother and baby.
Currently, dependents of service members may opt to change their TRICARE plan during the annual Open Season or if they experience a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). QLEs include marriage, divorce, a job change, a move, and the birth or adoption of a child, but not pregnancy. The Improving Access to Prenatal Care for Military Families Act would provide greater flexibility to expectant military families by establishing a DoD pilot program to designate pregnancy as a QLE. Such a designation would allow the dependents of service members to switch from TRICARE’s Prime and Select plans as needed to receive timely and quality care.
The Improving Access to Prenatal Care for Military Families Act is endorsed by the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the National Military Family Association (NMFA), the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America (JWV), the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the Air & Space Forces Association, AMVETS, the Chief Warrant Officers Association of the U.S. Coast Guard (CWOA), the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and the United States Army Warrant Officers Association (USAWOA).
“With access to care challenges in both military treatment facilities and the TRICARE network, beneficiaries must have flexibility to seek vital prenatal care where it is available,” said Military Officers Association of America President & CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret.). “The TRICARE Pregnancy Qualifying Life Event Pilot will not only give pregnant beneficiaries the flexibility to change TRICARE plans, but it will also provide visibility on potential maternal care issues within the military health system leading to better maternal and infant outcomes and improving military family readiness. We appreciate Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Andy Kim, and Rep. Terri Sewell’s efforts to improve access to prenatal care for military families.”
“When you’re having a baby, you need the freedom to choose the right health plan for your growing family,” said Besa Pinchotti, CEO of the National Military Family Association. “Military families don’t have that option, but thanks to Senator Duckworth, Representative Kim and Representative Sewell, they will. Adding pregnancy as a Qualifying Life Event for TRICARE beneficiaries will ensure that military families will be able to access the right care at the right time.”
“The Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America (JWV) thanks Senator Tammy Duckworth, IL, Representative Andy Kim, NJ-03, and Representative Terri Sewell, AL-07, for introducing legislation to enhance our military family’s quality of life,” said JWV National Commander Gary Ginsburg, USA, (retired). “JWV urges swift action by Congress. The bill recognizes the unique nature of the military health system and the challenges faced by certain beneficiaries. Expanding TRICARE care benefits to include a five-year pilot program for pregnancy as a qualifying life event (QLE) is the right step to enact now.”
“Military families in America should be adequately supported while they both serve their country and prepare to build their families,” said Allison Jaslow, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). “Recognizing pregnancy as a qualifying life event would ensure that military families who are expecting a child have access to the high-quality prenatal care they deserve. We applaud the leadership of Senator Duckworth, Representative Kim, and Representative Sewell in advocating for this pilot program, in addition to the impact such a program could have on military readiness and the health of the all-volunteer force.”
Bill text is available here.
