Servicemembers Health Insurance Protection Act of 2005

SERVICEMEMBERS HEALTH INSURANCE PROTECTION ACT OF 2005 -- (House of Representatives - May 23, 2005)

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Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time, and I thank the gentleman from Arkansas (Chairman BOOZMAN) for his great work on this very necessary item.

I too rise today in support of the Servicemembers' Health Insurance Protection Act of 2005, a bill that we have heard will assure the men and women in active service that their private health insurance premiums will not be increased, nor will reinstatement be delayed when they return from Iraq or Afghanistan. The last thing these servicemembers need while they are at war is to worry about the details of their life after service, and health insurance, of course, being one of the most important.

H.R. 2046 will ensure a smooth transition from health care under the military to health care in civilian life.

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This bill has support from the veterans service organizations around the country, as well as our Department of Defense.

I think, as we have heard, in addition to the primary purpose of the bill, a technical change is included which will help many disabled veterans to use what is called their adaptive housing grant prior to their discharge from the military. This will expedite their release from hospitalization because they will not have to wait for changes to be made to their homes to accommodate their disability. This provision was inadvertently omitted when changes were made in 2004 in the Veterans Benefit Act, and I am glad that we are fixing this problem today.

Congress must do everything it can to recognize and reward our brave men and women fighting today. Many are serving longer than they expected. Many are in danger each and every day.

They serve with pride and with dignity. Let us honor their service by passing this legislation to treat them with the respect that they deserve.

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