Committee approves pilot to offer low-cost cancer supplemental insurance to military families
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Summary
The committee agreed to a pilot program, modeled after the Bipartisan Salute Act, to let military families enroll in department‑authorized low-cost supplemental policies to cover out-of-pocket expenses from cancer diagnoses; the amendment passed in committee.
Representative Scott introduced an amendment to create a pilot program allowing service members and military families the option to purchase a low-cost, Department‑approved cancer supplemental plan to help cover out-of-pocket costs associated with cancer care.
Scott described the measure as “the text of the Bipartisan Salute Act” and said the pilot would authorize the department to competitively award contracts and offer enrollment through the department’s normal benefits portal. “If covered a family member diagnosed with cancer, a direct benefit would be provided to immediately help cover out of pocket expenses as they are incurred,” Scott said.
Supporters who spoke included Representative Bacon and Representative Whitman, who described the product as a group contract that can produce lower prices and better benefits than individual policies. The amendment’s critics raised concerns that offering the option through military enrollment forms could encourage members to buy supplemental coverage they might not need; the ranking member warned of creating a de facto sales push.
The committee voted on the amendment and the transcript records that “the amendment is agreed to.” The amendment as described would be a pilot, with the department required to report back on program data at the pilot’s end; if successful it could be continued and otherwise would sunset.
Why it matters: supporters said the pilot would address nonmedical, out-of-pocket burdens—travel, lodging, childcare—that often accompany cancer care and are not covered by TRICARE. Opponents cautioned about the department’s role in choosing insurers and the potential for perceived coercion.
Details: the approved pilot would authorize competitive contracting for at least two vendors, make enrollment available through the department portal, and require a department report at pilot end. Costs to the government were described as limited because products would be member‑purchased supplemental coverage.
