By: Ashmar Mandou
Congresswoman and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (IL-08) proposed legislation to stop forcing Veterans to pay out-of-pocket for essential preventive care by bringing the preventive benefits provided to Veterans in line with those provided to every other insured American, including active-duty servicemembers. Duckworth’s new Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act, which is cosponsored by Republican Representative Lee Zeldin (NY-01), would address this disparity and improve Veteran care, helping reduce deaths from chronic illnesses while saving taxpayers from footing the bill for costlier, but largely preventable, treatments through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). “All Americans deserve access to the best healthcare possible—especially the Veterans who risked life and limb to defend our nation and made significant sacrifices on our behalf,” said Congresswoman Duckworth. “Since I was recovering at Walter Reed, I’ve made serving them my mission. This common-sense bipartisan legislation will help save Veteran lives and ensure we’re no longer asking them to pay more for essential health services than any other insured American, and it could help save taxpayer dollars in the long run too. I’m proud to join Congressman Zeldin in introducing our Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act today.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 7 of 10 deaths in this country are caused by chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease and breast cancer that nearly half of all adults suffer from, and many of those illnesses are preventable with early and effective treatment. “Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country and need the Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act,” said Congressman Zeldin. “This commonsense legislation will ensure that veterans can obtain essential preventive care at no additional cost. I look forward to working closely with Congresswoman Duckworth and any willing colleague on either side of the aisle to get this bill enacted into law and improve the quality of life of our veterans.” The bipartisan Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act would provide Veterans preventive medication and services cost-free, the same benefit that all other insured Americans receive, and enhances continuity of care for servicemembers transitioning from military healthcare coverage.
