Washington, D.C.— Congressman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) released the following statement today after introducing H.R. 4887, Health Coverage Provided by the Department of Defense, a bill that would explicitly state that TRICARE and nonappropriated fund (NAF) health plans meet all of the health care requirements for individual health insurance currently under consideration by Congress. These programs provide health coverage to members of the military and their families, military retirees and their families, and employees of U.S. military post/base exchanges and other nonappropriated fund activities.

“TRICARE and the NAF health plans will meet the minimum requirements for individual health insurance coverage in the health care bill currently under consideration in Congress, and no TRICARE or NAF health plan beneficiary will be required to purchase additional coverage beyond what they already have. However, to reassure our military service members and their families and make it perfectly clear that they will not be negatively affected by this legislation, my bill, H.R. 4887, explicitly states that TRICARE and the NAF health plans meet the minimum requirements for individual health insurance. Our brave men and women in uniform are the foundation of our nation’s strength, and I am forever grateful for their sacrifices for our country.”

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