S.Amdt. 3321

This amendment, submitted by Mr. Tuberville, aims to add a new section (SEC. 707) to bill S. 2296. The purpose is to create a pilot program that allows certain members of the armed forces and their dependents to get supplemental insurance to help pay for cancer-related expenses that are not covered by their existing health benefits.

Key Changes and Additions

• Program Establishment: The Secretary of Defense must set up this pilot program by September 30, 2026.
• Insurance Agreements: The Secretary will partner with at least two companies to offer fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plans. These plans must be separate policies and cannot coordinate with other health benefit plans.
• Covered Individuals: The program is available to members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force, as well as their dependents enrolled in TRICARE.
• Funding and Enrollment:
  • Individuals can choose to enroll in a plan.
  • Premiums will be handled through payroll deduction.
  • The government cannot use appropriated funds to subsidize the cost of these plans.
• Information and Reporting:
  • Details about the plans and how to enroll must be posted on the TRICARE online portal.
  • The Secretary must report on the program's results to the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services within two years of it starting.
• Timeline: The program will end five years after the Act is passed unless the Secretary decides to make it permanent.