Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 1461
115th Congress(2017-2018)
HEARTS Act
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Jun 28, 2017
Overview
Text
Sponsor
Introduced
Jun 28, 2017
Latest Action
Jun 28, 2017
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
1461
Congress
115
Policy Area
Armed Forces and National Security
Armed Forces and National Security
Primary focus of measure is military operations and spending, facilities, procurement and weapons, personnel, intelligence; strategic materials; war and emergency powers; veterans’ issues. Measures concerning alliances and collective security, arms sales and military assistance, or arms control may fall under International Affairs policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Republican
Iowa
Senate Votes (0)
House Votes (0)
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

Health Equity and Access for Returning Troops and Servicemembers Act or the HEARTS Act

This bill extends TRICARE eligibility to certain former members of the Armed Forces regardless of whether they enroll (as required under current law) in Medicare's supplementary medical insurance program. Specifically, the bill applies to former members who are: (1) younger than 65 years of age, (2) medically retired from the Armed Forces, and (3) entitled to Medicare hospital insurance benefits on the basis of their former entitlement to disability insurance benefits under the Social Security Act.

Furthermore, these former members shall not be subject to late-enrollment penalties under Medicare's supplemental medical insurance program.

The Department of Defense must coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services to: (1) identify former members to which the bill applies, (2) counsel those former members on the effects of declining to enroll in Medicare's supplemental medical insurance program, and (3) report to Congress on specified issues related to the bill's implementation.

Text (1)
Actions (2)
06/28/2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
06/28/2017
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Jan 11, 2023 1:37:33 PM