US Senate introduces bill to expand healthcare for National Guard

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WTAJ) -- U.S. Senator John Fetterman announced he has cosponsored a bill that would expand healthcare options for the Selected Reserve and National Guard.

The Servicemember Healthcare Freedom Act would allow members of the Selected Reserve and National Guard who are also employed by the federal government to choose between military and civilian healthcare plans.

"Members of the Reserves and National Guard should have access to the benefits they've earned," Senator Fetterman said. "Unfortunately, Guardsmen and Reservists who are also federal employees are inexplicably prohibited from enrolling in TRICARE Reserve Select, an affordable health care option. This is a good, no-nonsense bill that will fix a clear problem and I`m proud to cosponsor it."

The Servicemember Healthcare Freedom Act is endorsed by the National Guard Association of the United States (NGUAS), the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) and the Reserve Organization of America (ROA).