TRICARE Equality Act This bill addresses the administration of Department of Defense (DOD) health care programs and benefits in Puerto Rico. Specifically, the bill requires DOD to treat the administration of TRICARE Prime availability in Puerto Rico in a similar manner as a state. The bill also requires DOD to ensure that, in providing travel and transportation allowances related to specialty medical treatment, individuals located in Puerto Rico are eligible to receive such allowances. The Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization Office must coordinate with the Department of Health of Puerto Rico to share health information through the Joint Health Information Exchange.
The proposed legislation establishes that individuals in Puerto Rico shall have access to travel and transportation allowances, akin to those available in the states. This is particularly significant for military personnel requiring specialty medical care, as it ensures they can obtain necessary services without incurring excessive personal costs. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization Office coordinate with the Department of Health of Puerto Rico to facilitate a health information exchange, further enhancing the healthcare infrastructure.
House Bill 254, also known as the TRICARE Equality Act, seeks to amend Title 10 of the United States Code to improve the administration of the TRICARE program specifically in Puerto Rico. The bill demands the Department of Defense (DOD) to manage TRICARE Prime availability in Puerto Rico using similar protocols as those applied in the 50 states. This change aims to ensure that military families in Puerto Rico have equitable access to healthcare benefits without the disparities faced under the current system.
While the bill aims to rectify inequalities in military healthcare administration, it may also prompt discussions regarding the federal versus local governance of healthcare services. There are ongoing debates about the adequacy of federal support for Puerto Rico, especially in healthcare matters. The sunset provision in the bill, which nullifies the section if Puerto Rico achieves statehood, indicates the transient nature of this legislative measure and may lead to further controversy over the long-term healthcare rights of Puerto Rican residents.