Bill Summary
The "Gold Star Spouses Health Care Enhancement Act" is a proposed legislation aimed at expanding health care benefits for surviving spouses of Armed Forces members who have died in service. The key provisions of the bill include the following amendments to Title 10 of the United States Code:
1. **Medical Benefits**: The bill removes a three-year eligibility limit for TRICARE Prime benefits for surviving spouses, ensuring that they can access these medical benefits without the restriction of a time limit.
2. **Dental Benefits**: Similar to the medical benefits, the legislation also eliminates the three-year time limit for dental benefits under the TRICARE program for surviving spouses, providing them with extended access to necessary dental care.
3. **Applicability**: The amendments apply to surviving spouses regardless of when the service member's death occurred, allowing for retroactive benefits.
Overall, this legislation seeks to provide more comprehensive health care support for Gold Star spouses, recognizing their sacrifices and ensuring they have continued access to vital health services.
Possible Impacts
The "Gold Star Spouses Health Care Enhancement Act" could affect people in various ways. Here are three examples:
1. **Increased Access to Health Care**: Surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty would benefit from extended eligibility for TRICARE Prime without the previous three-year time limit. This change ensures that they have continued access to essential medical services and support, which is crucial for their physical and mental well-being.
2. **Improved Dental Care**: By removing the three-year limitation on dental benefits for surviving spouses, the legislation allows these individuals to maintain comprehensive dental care without worrying about losing coverage shortly after their spouse's death. This can lead to better overall health outcomes, as dental health is closely linked to general health.
3. **Broader Eligibility**: The act applies retroactively to surviving spouses, regardless of when their spouse's death occurred. This retroactive provision means that many surviving spouses who may have previously lost access to health care benefits will now regain eligibility. This can provide significant financial relief and support to those who have been navigating health care challenges alone since their loss.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3594 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3594
To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand the health care
benefits available for Gold Star surviving spouses.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 23, 2025
Ms. Kaptur (for herself and Mr. Bacon) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand the health care
benefits available for Gold Star surviving spouses.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Gold Star Spouses Health Care
Enhancement Act''.
SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF HEALTH CARE BENEFITS FOR GOLD STAR SURVIVING
SPOUSES.
(a) Medical Benefits.--Section 1079(g) of title 10, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``except as provided by
paragraph (5),'' after ``benefits under paragraph (1),''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:
``(5)(A) A dependent described in subparagraph (B) shall not be
subject to the three-year time limit specified in paragraph (2) with
respect to eligibility for benefits under TRICARE Prime.
``(B) A dependent described in this subparagraph is a dependent for
purposes of section 1072 of this title by reason of being a surviving
spouse of a member of the Armed Forces whose death is covered by
section 1126.''.
(b) Dental Benefits.--Section 1076a(k) of such title is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``Such term'' and
inserting ``Except as provided by paragraph (4), such term'';
and
(2) by adding after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4)(A) A dependent described in subparagraph (B) shall not be
subject to the three-year time limit specified in paragraph (3).
``(B) A dependent described in this subparagraph is a dependent for
purposes of section 1072 of this title by reason of being a surviving
spouse of a member of the Armed Forces whose death is covered by
section 1126.''.
(c) Application.--The amendments made by this section shall apply
with respect to a surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces
whose death is covered by section 1126 of title 10, United States Code,
regardless of whether such death occurred before the date of the
enactment of this Act.
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