U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) on June 17 proposed bipartisan legislation that would authorize the U.S. Defense Secretary to waive prescription cost-sharing requirements for America’s military service members, veterans and their families during a declared national or public health emergency.
Sen. Wicker sponsored the TRICARE Prescription Relief Act, S. 3979, with cosponsor U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) to help reduce the financial burden for TRICARE beneficiaries who cannot access military treatment facility pharmacies.
“In the wake of a widespread disaster like a hurricane or global pandemic, our military service members, veterans and their families should not have to worry about how they will continue to afford life-saving treatments,” Sen. Wicker said. “The TRICARE Prescription Relief Act would give our defense leaders the flexibility they need to waive cost-sharing requirements for TRICARE beneficiaries through the duration of a crisis.”
Specifically, S. 3979 would allow the Defense Secretary to invoke a waiver during any national emergency, including public health emergencies declared by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, or those invoked by the president under the National Emergencies Act and the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
“Ensuring Arizona TRICARE recipients can receive their prescriptions outside of military clinics at no added cost helps keep Arizona military families and retirees safe during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic,” said Sen. Sinema.
The bill has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee.