This bill gives certain veterans a new option for their health care by allowing them to join TRICARE Select, which is the military's health insurance program. The veterans who qualify include those with service-connected disabilities, former prisoners of war, Purple Heart recipients, Medal of Honor recipients, those medically discharged, and those receiving disability compensation from the VA. The key change here is that these veterans would have a choice—they could use TRICARE Select instead of being limited to VA health care. To make this work, the VA will pay the Department of Defense for the costs of covering these veterans in the TRICARE program. However, there's an important limitation: a veteran can't use both DOD and VA medical care at the same time. They'll need to pick one or the other. Essentially, this bill expands health care options for veterans with disabilities or special military service records, giving them more control over where they receive their medical treatment.

Veterans’ True Choice Act of 2023

Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]

Veterans' True Choice Act of 2023 This bill allows covered veterans to receive coverage under TRICARE Select, a health care program of the Department of Defense (DOD). Veterans covered by this bill include those with service-connected disabilities, former prisoners of war, Purple Heart recipients, Medal of Honor recipients, those discharged from service due to disability, and those entitled to disability compensation. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must reimburse DOD's costs of enrolling eligible veteran beneficiaries in the program. A covered veteran may not concurrently receive medical care from DOD and the VA.