WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, has introduced legislation to give combat veterans the option to enroll in their health care benefits program before officially transitioning out of active duty — seeking to ensure no lag in coverage for servicemembers. The bipartisan Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act would create an opt-in program allowing transitioning servicemembers to access VA health care services their first day as a civilian. Currently, transitioning servicemembers must wait until they have left the service and received their official separation paperwork — which can take months — to apply for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) health care and other services, creating an unacceptable period where veterans do not have access to the health care benefits they have earned.

U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) joined as original co-sponsors on the legislation.

Every year, more than 200,000 servicemembers transition from military to civilian life. Studies have shown the first year of servicemember’s transition to civilian life is the most difficult and a time when they are at a higher risk to commit suicide. By allowing servicemembers who have served in combat to pre-enroll in VHA care, they will have access to the mental and physical care they deserve immediately upon separation — helping to mitigate impacts of PTSD and reducing the risk of suicide.

“Our combat veterans continually put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and they deserve our utmost support and care, they have retired the uniform,” said Senator King. “The Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act is another way in which we can guarantee our servicemembers experience a warm handoff in their transition to civilian life. By eliminating this bureaucratic lag, we can deliver VA benefits to our men and women who served, the moment they return to civilian status.”

“Veterans represent the best of our country. Our men and women in uniform have made incredible sacrifices so that we can be free, and we have a responsibility to fulfill our commitment to them once their service is complete,” said Senator Rounds. “The Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act would eliminate the lapse in care that many servicemembers face when transitioning from the military to civilian life, and make certain that servicemembers have timely access to the health care services they need upon separation from the military. I am pleased to join Senator King on this legislation to remedy this gap in services which currently exists.”

“Ensuring our nation’s Veterans receive the support they need and deserve continues to be a top priority of mine,” said Senator Manchin. “I’m proud to join my bipartisan colleagues in introducing the Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act to help ensure our servicemen and women who are transitioning to civilian life have immediate access to the healthcare benefits they have earned upon separation from the military. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this commonsense legislation and I will continue working to improve access to healthcare benefits for Veterans in West Virginia and across the country.”

“Our combat veterans risk their lives to fight for our freedoms and way of life,” said Senator Cramer. “Allowing servicemembers to pre-enroll for VHA healthcare before separation instead of afterward provides continuity of care rather than being stuck in bureaucratic backlogs. We must ensure our combat veterans’ transition to civilian life includes immediate healthcare coverage without delay.”

“Transitioning service members face challenges post separation. Making sure these veterans enroll in the healthcare and benefits they have earned will help ease that transition,” said Pat Murray, the Legislative Director for Veterans of Foreign Wars. “VFW supports the Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act of 2023 in order to make transition easier for the men and women who served our country."

“Receiving consistent care is critical to ensure Service members’ health, especially combat veterans, as they transition to civilian life,” said Jose Ramos, Vice President of Government and Community Relations for Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). “Regardless of the nature of their injuries or illnesses, early connection to the Department of Veterans Affairs for health care needs can provide for safer and smoother transitions in the present and less disruption in the future. WWP is pleased to support the Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act of 2023, and we appreciate Senator King for his leadership on this important issue.”

Representing a state with one of the highest rates of veterans per capita, Senator King is a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. A member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, he works to ensure American veterans receive their earned benefits and that the VA is properly implementing various programs such as the PACT Act, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act, the John Scott Hannon Act and the introduction of the bipartisan TAP Promotion Act. Last year, King introduced bipartisan legislation to support veterans with mental traumas, as well as celebrated President Biden signing his legislation into law, which increases benefits for veterans and military families.

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