Bill Would Prevent Individual Premium Hikes

House Veterans Affairs Committee chairman Steve Buyer, R-Ind., has introduced HR-2046, which would prohibit individual health insurance premium increases for Guard and Reserve members upon reinstatement of their insurance when they are released from active duty. Frequently, members of the Reserve Components drop their health insurance coverage when mobilized because they and their families become eligible for the Tricare health care system. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), a service member ordered to active duty who terminates health insurance coverage is entitled to reinstatement of coverage after returning to civilian life, but the SCRA does not expressly protect the member against a premium increase upon reinstatement. The bill would prohibit a premium increase upon reinstatement if it affects only the individual service member but it would allow general increases in premiums if they apply to other persons with similar coverage.