Stivers "TRICARE for Kids" Report Released

Press Release

Today, Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH) responded to the recently released "Study on Health Care and Related Support for Children of Members of the Armed Forces" by the Defense Health Agency (DHA), which was required under the passage of Stivers' TRICARE for Kids bill.

"The report is a step in the right direction; and I appreciate the acknowledgement in the report of specific areas of needed improvement, including gaps in coverage and services, challenges with utilizing meaningful data and the benefits of increased collaboration with the pediatric civilian sector," said Stivers, lead sponsor of TRICARE for Kids and member of the Ohio Army National Guard. "Unfortunately, the report failed to include any specific next steps and action items to improve the care and experiences for our military families, specifically for one of our most valuable resources -- our military children."

Rep. Stivers introduced TRICARE for Kids on March 29, 2012 in an effort to better shape the policies and practices of TRICARE military benefits to account for the needs of the children of those who serve and receive TRICARE benefits. The legislation was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on January 2, 2013. The bill created a working group to be convened by the Secretary of Defense to comprehensively review TRICARE health care policies and practices to make recommendations that specifically account for children's health care and pediatric care settings.

"Now is the time to act for our military children. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress and the senior leadership at the Department of Defense (DoD) to identify which items in the report can be accomplished in the short term, and which actions might need further legislative action."

It is with the help and dedication of over 15 stakeholder groups that TRICARE for Kids remains at the forefront of reforming and improving our nation's military health care system.

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