Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur introduces bill to widen Gold Star survivor benefits, Representative Neguse advocates for veterans' firefighter training programs

In a bid to honor the debt owed to surviving spouses of fallen service members, Representative Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, has reintroduced the Gold Star Spouse Healthcare Enhancement Act (H.R. 3594). Simultaneously, Representative Joe Neguse, D-Colo., has introduced the Veterans Jobs Training Act (H.R. 3558). Both bills aim to extend health benefits for the surviving spouses of fallen service members and provide additional assistance to homeless veterans.

First unveiled in October 2024, the Veterans Jobs Training Act (H.R. 3558) seeks to add $15 million in federal funding to the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program. However, the bill does not specify how the additional funding will be allocated within the program. The bill also aims to amend the current statute to extend the TRICARE Prime active-duty coverage by removing the three-year cap for the surviving spouses.

Currently, surviving spouses can retain their TRICARE Prime active-duty health coverage for three years before shifting to retired family member status. The retired family member status carries enrollment fees of up to $372 or $450 per individual and $744 or $900.96 per family in 2025. The Veterans Jobs Training Act (H.R. 3558) would ensure that surviving spouses retain their active-duty family member status in TRICARE Prime.

Beneficiaries can also enroll in other TRICARE plans, such as TRICARE Select, but that plan carries deductibles and potentially higher enrollment costs. TRICARE Prime is the Defense Department's managed health care option insurance plan.

In a separate development, the Veteran Wildland Firefighter Employment Act (H.R.3560) has been unveiled by Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo. This bill aims to direct the Veterans Affairs Department to establish a pilot program for employing veterans in wildland firefighting. The Veteran Wildland Firefighter Employment Act (H.R.3560) does not specify the duration of the pilot program.

The Veterans Jobs Training Act (H.R. 3558) and the Veteran Wildland Firefighter Employment Act (H.R.3560) have been referred to the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. The Veterans Jobs Training Act (H.R. 3558) also aims to extend the active-duty family member status in TRICARE Prime for surviving spouses of fallen soldiers, a proposal first made in May 2023 by Representatives Mark Takano and Gerry Connolly.

Rep. Kaptur stated that the bill is a way to honor the debt that surviving spouses are owed by the grateful nation. The bills are a significant step towards ensuring that our veterans and their families receive the support they deserve.