| Offices : Beckley • Charleston • Fairmont • Martinsburg • Washington, DC | E-mail Senator Rockefeller |
May 28, 2001
ROCKEFELLER'S LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE HEALTH COVERAGE FOR DEPENDENTS OF DISABLED AND DECEASED VETERANS BECOMES LAW
-- Legislation would continue CHAMPVA benefits past age 65 --
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Legislation introduced by Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) to assist veterans’ beneficiaries has cleared Congress and is expected to be signed into law today. H.R. 801, the Veterans' Survivor Benefits Improvements Act of 2001, contains Rockefeller’s provision to extend veterans benefits past the age of 65 for those who are covered under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). Prior to this change, CHAMPVA beneficiaries lost their VA health coverage when they became eligible for Medicare.
CHAMPVA serves as a safety net for dependents and survivors of certain categories of severely disabled veterans who, due to their disabilities, could not provide health insurance benefits to their families through employment. A similar program, TRICARE for Life, provides medical benefits for the families of military retirees. Congress passed legislation last year to extend the benefits of the TRICARE program past the age of 65.
"This act parallels the recent extension of TRICARE, and ensures similar access to health care for the families of veterans who died or became disabled in the service of this Nation. We owe a great debt to the CHAMPVA beneficiaries, who sacrificed so much for the defense of our country, and who have suffered the pain and loss of loved ones," said Rockefeller.
"Sadly, this sort of legislation has become necessary in the wake of skyrocketing prescription drug costs and Congress’ failure to enact any prescription drug coverage under Medicare. Many of the CHAMPVA beneficiaries in my own state of West Virginia have only Social Security and disability compensation to deal with the overwhelming cost of prescription drugs. With the passage of H.R. 801, CHAMPVA will continue to provide relief to eligible dependents, freeing them from their constant struggle to pay the medical and prescription bills that Medicare doesn’t cover."
In addition to the CHAMPVA extension, H.R. 801 allows servicemembers to purchase life insurance coverage for spouses and children. Previously, dependents were not eligible for insurance coverage under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) policy. This bill also makes an already approved increase in SGLI benefits retroactive to October 2000 for servicemembers who died in the line of duty in incidents such as the tragic bombing of the USS Cole. Finally, this bill requires VA to expand outreach efforts to veterans’ dependents who may be eligible for VA benefits.
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