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White's Military Medical Benefits Bill Approved
HARRISBURG -- The
Senate today approved a measure introduced by Senator Don White, R-41st
District, which would extend the time that full-time students who are called to
active military duty, as certified by the state Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs, could be covered under their parents' medical insurance plans.
Senate Bill 869 is now headed
to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“Today, I want to again
ensure our servicemen and women and their families that we are thinking of them
and that we stand solidly behind them. It is important that our men and women
in uniform know that they have our deepest gratitude and appreciation. But, it
is also important for them to know that our thoughts and prayers are with them
today and every day as well,” said Senator White, Chairman of the Senate
Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. “This legislation is
intended to help Pennsylvania's young people who put aside their classroom
studies to answer the call of duty.”
Currently, most health
insurance policies allow parents to include coverage for their children until
age 23 as long as they are full time students. However, some members of the
Pennsylvania National Guard and Air Guard are being called out of the classroom
and on to active duty for assignments that can last a year or longer. That
active duty time means that many of those young people will be unable to
complete their studies before reaching age 23.
“My legislation would require
insurance companies to allow these families to let the coverage lapse while the
young person is on active duty and have it start back up when the student
returns to school with an extension in coverage equal to that of the term of
duty,” Senator White said.
Senator White said his bill
provides a measure of fairness for those young people who are serving the
Commonwealth and the nation.
“Families should not be
penalized for military service and my bill would ensure that students can
complete their studies without the added worry of losing their medical
coverage,” Senator White said. “This legislation reaffirms our long-standing
and heartfelt commitment to our military families.”
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