Bill 118 s 1755, also known as the Sergeant First Class Michael Clark TRICARE Reserve Parity Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The bill aims to address disparities in healthcare coverage for members of the National Guard and Reserve components of the military.
Specifically, the bill seeks to ensure that members of the National Guard and Reserve have access to the same healthcare benefits as active duty service members through TRICARE, the military's healthcare program. Currently, National Guard and Reserve members face higher out-of-pocket costs and limited coverage compared to their active duty counterparts.
The bill is named in honor of Sergeant First Class Michael Clark, a National Guard member who tragically passed away due to complications from a heart attack. His death highlighted the need for improved healthcare coverage for National Guard and Reserve members.
If passed, the Sergeant First Class Michael Clark TRICARE Reserve Parity Act would help ensure that all members of the military receive equitable healthcare benefits, regardless of their status as active duty, National Guard, or Reserve. This legislation has garnered bipartisan support in Congress and is seen as a crucial step towards supporting the healthcare needs of all military personnel.