This bill gives certain veterans a new option for their health care by allowing them to use TRICARE Select, which is the military's health insurance program, instead of being limited to Veterans Affairs (VA) care. The veterans who qualify include those with service-connected disabilities, former prisoners of war, Purple Heart recipients, Medal of Honor recipients, those medically discharged from service, and anyone receiving disability compensation from the VA. The key change is that the VA will pay the Department of Defense to cover these veterans' costs in the TRICARE program, removing a financial barrier that might have prevented them from choosing this option before. However, there's an important catch: once a veteran chooses TRICARE Select under this bill, they can't use both military and VA health care at the same time—they have to pick one or the other. This gives eligible veterans more choice in where they receive their health care, which could be beneficial if they prefer the military's health system or have better access to military hospitals and doctors in their area.

Veterans’ True Choice Act of 2023

Kennedy, John

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 hospital care or medical services from DOD and the VA.