Tennessee House Bill HJR0058

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/23
• Refer: 1/21/23
• Refer: 2/14/23
• Refer: 2/22/23
• Engrossed: 3/2/23
• Enrolled: 3/31/23
• Passed: 4/10/23

Caption

A RESOLUTION to encourage the federal government to provide free health care for all honorably discharged veterans.

Impact

The resolution emphasizes that veterans should receive health care as a right rather than a benefit. By advocating for free health care for life for these individuals, the bill seeks to address gaps in the current healthcare system, which often requires veterans to navigate complex eligibility criteria. Proponents argue that this would greatly improve access to necessary medical services for those who served the nation, particularly for veterans living far from VA facilities or who otherwise struggle to obtain care.

Summary

HJR0058 is a resolution that calls on the federal government to provide free health care for all honorably discharged veterans. This initiative aims to recognize and support the sacrifices made by military servicemembers, particularly those who have served in post-9/11 combat operations. According to the resolution, a significant number of veterans are currently ineligible for free health care despite their honorable service, especially those who do not have service-connected disabilities or do not meet certain criteria set by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Contention

While the resolution does not carry the force of law, it reflects a growing concern about the adequacy of health care provisions for veterans. Opponents might argue that expanding free health care to all veterans could place additional burdens on the federal budget and healthcare system. There may also be discussions on the practicality of implementation, especially regarding how the federal government would coordinate such an initiative with existing programs like Medicare or the VA healthcare system. Thus, while the sentiments behind HJR0058 are widely supported, potential economic and administrative challenges could arise in the push for such reforms.