U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced a bipartisan bill to ensure United States military veterans do not have copays for preventive healthcare services.
“We owe it to our veterans to provide them with the high-quality health care they have earned through their service to our country,” Sen. Collins said on May 30.
Sen. Collins cosponsored the Veterans Preventive Health Coverage Fairness Act, S. 1573, on May 21 with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for preventive health medications and prescription drugs and add preventive medications and services to the list of no-fee treatments covered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“By removing the copayment requirement for preventive health care, our legislation would protect patients from experiencing serious illnesses that are costly to treat and promote the health and well-being of our veterans,” said Sen. Collins.
If enacted, S. 1573 also would improve ongoing healthcare for service members transitioning from military healthcare coverage by ensuring consistent copay standards for preventive health services, according to information provided by the senator’s office.
S. 1573, which is under consideration by the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, has been endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, the American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Disabled American Veterans.