Bill · H.R. 3594· House(119-HR-3594)
Gold Star Spouses Health Care Enhancement Act
- Introduced
- 5/23/2025
- Last activity
- 5/23/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- Sponsored by
- Marcy Kaptur
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Gold Star Spouses Health Care Enhancement Act," aims to amend title 10 of the United States Code. The primary goal is to expand health care benefits for Gold Star surviving spouses. Specifically, it seeks to adjust rules regarding medical and dental benefits. These changes focus on removing certain time limits for specific dependents. The act applies to surviving spouses of members of the Armed Forces whose death is covered by section 1126.
Yes
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+8
The bill provides significant health and dental benefit expansions for the spouses of fallen service members.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+7
The bill expands healthcare and dental access for Gold Star spouses by removing previous time-limit restrictions.
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?+5
The bill extends benefits to surviving spouses of fallen service members, providing long-term healthcare support.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Removal of TRICARE Prime time limits: Under Section 2(a), Gold Star surviving spouses will no longer be subject to the three-year time limit for eligibility for benefits under TRICARE Prime. This provides expanded medical benefits for these individuals (Section 2(a)).
-
Removal of Dental benefit time limits: Under Section 2(b), the three-year time limit specified in section 1076a(k) will not apply to these surviving spouses. This ensures continued access to dental benefits (Section 2(b)).
-
Retroactive Application: Section 2(c) states that these amendments apply regardless of whether the death of the service member occurred before the Act is enacted, ensuring benefits reach those who may have already been affected by previous time limits.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+8
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+7
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+5
- 7/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/23/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania