H.R. 244: Veterans’ True Choice Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Veterans’ True Choice Act of 2025, aims to amend existing laws to expand eligibility for a health care program known as TRICARE Select to veterans with service-connected disabilities. Below are the main provisions of the bill:

Changes to Eligibility for TRICARE Select

The bill makes specific amendments to the eligibility criteria for veterans to enroll in TRICARE Select. Key points include:

• It allows covered veteran beneficiaries—defined under the bill as veterans who qualify for enrollment in the patient system of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and are eligible for TRICARE— to enroll during the annual open enrollment season of the TRICARE program.
• The cost-sharing requirements for these veterans will be calculated as per existing TRICARE Select rules, regardless of when they originally served in the military.
• A dependent cannot enroll in TRICARE merely because a veteran beneficiary is enrolled.

Amendments to TRICARE for Life

Adjustments to the TRICARE for Life program are also proposed, stating that:

• Veterans can enroll in TRICARE for Life either through the standard provisions or by enrolling under the amendments introduced by the bill.

Impact on VA Health Care Enrollment

The bill stipulates that a veteran beneficiary who enrolls in TRICARE may not be concurrently enrolled in the VA health care system, thus clarifying that these veterans will need to choose between the two programs.

Memorandum of Understanding

The bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense to create a memorandum of understanding that includes reimbursement provisions for the costs associated with the enrollment of these covered veteran beneficiaries in TRICARE.

Implementation Timeline

The amendments introduced by this bill will take effect one year after its enactment, allowing time for regulations to be developed by the involved departments. A phased enrollment process will be initiated during the annual open enrollment season of TRICARE, post-regulation establishment.

Reporting Requirements

The bill includes provisions for regular reporting on its implementation. Key reporting requirements include:

• Quarterly updates for two years on the implementation of the bill.
• Annual reports detailing the number of covered veteran beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE after the completion of the initial two years.

Definitions

Key terms such as covered veteran beneficiary and TRICARE program are defined within the context of the bill, referencing existing sections of title 10 of the United States Code.

Relevant Companies

None found