AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 58, Chapter 1, Part 2, relative to the "Tennessee National Guard Servicemember's Medical Readiness Act."
Summary
This bill creates the Tennessee National Guard TRICARE Premium Reimbursement Program within the military department and names it the “Tennessee National Guard Servicemember’s Medical Readiness Act.” The program would allow the military department to award reimbursement grants to eligible Tennessee National Guard members for premiums they pay for TRICARE Reserve Select coverage and/or TRICARE dental coverage, so long as they are not already receiving health or dental insurance through a civilian employer.
The bill defines an eligible recipient as a Tennessee National Guard member who is eligible for TRICARE Reserve Select or TRICARE dental coverage and who does not have civilian employer-provided health or dental insurance. It also requires the adjutant general to adopt and publish policies and guidelines for administering the program. If any reimbursed premium costs are later paid by the federal government, that amount must stop being reimbursed under this state program. The act takes effect July 1, 2025, but it cannot be implemented unless funds are specifically appropriated in the general appropriations act.
Impact
The bill adds a new section to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 58, Chapter 1, Part 2, establishing a state-administered reimbursement mechanism for certain National Guard members’ TRICARE premiums. It affects the military department and the adjutant general by giving them authority to administer grants and set program rules, while also limiting reimbursement to amounts not otherwise covered by federal sources. The act expressly states it is not an appropriation, so no money may be spent unless the General Assembly separately funds the program.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong bipartisan support and no recorded opposition in committee. The Senate State & Local Government Committee recommended passage with amendment on a 9-0 vote, and the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee also recommended passage on an 11-0 vote. The lack of dissent suggests the bill was viewed favorably as a support measure for National Guard service members and their medical readiness.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive controversy in the available materials. The main practical issue is fiscal: the bill creates a reimbursement program but explicitly depends on a future appropriation, so any debate would likely center on whether and how much funding should be provided. Another possible point of administration is eligibility and coordination with federal benefits, since the program excludes members with civilian employer coverage and stops reimbursement for any costs later covered by the federal government.
Crossfiled
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 58, Chapter 1, Part 2, relative to the "Tennessee National Guard Servicemember's Medical Readiness Act."
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 58, Chapter 1, Part 2, relative to the "Tennessee National Guard Servicemember's Medical Readiness Act."