WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate passed legislation cosponsored by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) to fix serious errors in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that put veterans, widows and widowers, and certain dependents at risk.

“Our nation’s veterans and their families have sacrificed so much on behalf of our country, and we owe them the best health care available,” Burr said.  “I was proud to cosponsor such an important piece of legislation that will protect the health care these individuals have earned through their service to our nation.”

Under the Democrats’ health reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, “minimum essential coverage” requirements for health insurance did not clearly include TRICARE; the VA Spina Bifida Program for children of Agent Orange veterans; and CHAMPVA, a health care program for spouses and dependent children of veterans who died, or are profoundly disabled, as a result of military service.  Without a change in the language of President Obama’s broad sweeping healthcare reform provisions, beneficiaries could have been required to pay for additional insurance. 

Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans supported Senator Burr in offering an amendment to the health care reconciliation bill to maintain the integrity of the health care systems of the VA and the DOD in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  Senator Burr’s amendment also ensured that nothing in the Democrats’ health bill would affect benefits provided under TRICARE or VA health care programs and that “minimum essential coverage” under the Democrats’ health reform bill would include coverage under TRICARE and all VA health care programs. Burr’s raising of the issue prompted a bi-partisan effort to advance legislation. Senator Burr and Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI) worked closely in order to get the legislation through the Senate.