Floor Statement S.852 -- National Guard and Reserve Comprehensive Health Benefits Act of 2003

FLOOR STATEMENT S.852 -- NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH BENEFITS ACT OF 2003

Mr. President, I am very glad that we have been able to work out a compromise on this important health coverage initiative for our Reservists and National Guard members. I want to thank the entire Military Coalition for all their hard work and support for this effort. I'd also like to thank General Smith and the Ohio National Guard for all that they have done to keep this initiative moving forward.

As my colleagues are aware, our amendment would offer a comprehensive approach to health coverage for members of our military Reserve Component. Put simply, it would provide a critical health care safety net for service members and their families by offering uninterrupted, affordable health insurance.

Mr. President, I would like to take a moment and share with my colleagues a story of an Ohio Air Guard member from the 269th Combat Communications Group in Springfield, Ohio. This story was just relayed to me by the Adjutant General of Ohio this past Friday, and I think it illustrates the tremendous need for the year-round TRICARE health coverage that our amendment would provide.

A Staff Sergeant named "David", a traditional Guardsman in the 269th, had been suffering from severe headaches for some time. He is a full-time student at Miami University, using the Montgomery GI Bill and our state-sponsored Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program to obtain a baccalaureate degree. His problem was recently diagnosed by neurologists in Cincinnati as the existence of a large cyst at the base of his brain. They prescribed a surgical procedure to remove the cyst however they would not proceed with treatment in the absence of appropriate health insurance.

"David" has no health insurance coverage. He had prior service in the Navy before enlisting in the Ohio Air National Guard. Based on that Navy service, the sergeant has contacted the Veterans Administration for possible treatment.

They are evaluating his case, but do not, at this point, agree with the diagnosis and course of treatment recommended by the previous physician. Meanwhile, "David" continues to suffer the severe headaches, continues to attend classes, continues to attend scheduled training with his Air Guard unit -- and continues to have NO health care coverage. If the provisions of our legislation were a matter of statute now, "David" might very well be on the road to recovery.

Mr. President, I can't emphasize enough how important this is both as a readiness and as a retention issue. We know how important it is that we fund our military hardware and base installations. But, at the same time, we can't ignore our military personnel. We can't ignore the very men and women who voluntarily lay their lives on the line to protect our national security. It's the very least we can do, particularly as we continue to rely more and more on our Reserve and National Guard.

Mr. President, our amendment is an important sign of support for those called to serve, as well as their families. I urge my colleagues to support it.

I thank the Chair and yield the Floor.