Servicemember Healthcare Freedom Act of 2025
The Servicemember Healthcare Freedom Act of 2025 would amend Title 10 U.S. Code to let members of the Selected Reserve and National Guard who also hold federal civilian employment (and are eligible for Federal Employee Health Benefits, FEHB) enroll in TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) in addition to, or instead of, FEHB. Currently, FEHB eligibility blocks these members from enrolling in TRS; this bill would remove that prohibition and enable a choice between military and civilian health plans. The bill also adjusts the expiration date related to eligibility for TRS, moving the cutoff from January 1, 2030 to January 1, 2026, effectively broadening the window during which these members can enroll in TRS. The aim is to improve continuity of care during mobilizations and enhance readiness by providing more affordable health coverage options.
Key Points
- 1Removes the prohibition that prevents FEHB-eligible members of the Selected Reserve and National Guard from enrolling in TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS), allowing a true choice between FEHB and TRS.
- 2Applies to members who are employed by the Federal Government (as well as their families) and are eligible for FEHB.
- 3Aligns health coverage options with mobilization needs, enabling continuity of care across mobilization cycles.
- 4Low-cost, comprehensive health insurance options for reserve members are intended to enhance overall readiness and lethality of the armed forces.
- 5Section 3 changes the expiration date in title 10, U.S. Code to permit TRS enrollment for these members as of January 1, 2026 (replacing the prior date of January 1, 2030).