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White's Military
Medical Benefits Bill Approved
Senate Bill 869 Goes to Governor
for Enactment into Law
HARRISBURG -- A measure introduced by
Senator Don White, R-41st District, extending the coverage
that full-time students called to active military duty can
receive under their parents' medical insurance plans
received final legislative approval last week.
Senate Bill 869 now goes to
Governor Ed Rendell for his signature and enactment into
law.
"I am very pleased that the
General Assembly approved this important piece of
legislation," said Senator White, Chairman of the Senate
Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. "This
bill will help Pennsylvania's young people who put aside
their classroom studies in order to answer the call of
duty."
Currently, most health
insurance policies allow parents to provide coverage for
their children until age 23 as long as they are full-time
students. However, some members of the Pennsylvania National
Guard and Air Guard are being called out of the classroom
and into active duty for assignments that can last for a
year or longer. Many of these young people will be unable to
complete their studies before reaching the age of 23.
"My legislation will require
insurance companies to permit these families to let health
coverage lapse while the young person is on active duty and
have it resume when the student returns to school, with an
extension in coverage equal to that of the term of duty,"
Senator White said.
Senator White said his bill
provides a measure of fairness for those young people who
are serving the Commonwealth and the nation.
"Families should not be
penalized for military service and my bill would ensure that
students can complete their studies without the added worry
of losing their medical coverage," Senator White said. "This
legislation reaffirms our long-standing and heartfelt
commitment to our military families."
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