Congressman Kim Introduces Dental Care for Our Troops Act and Protecting Military Families from Debt Act

WASHINGTON DC – Yesterday, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) introduced two bills, the Dental Care for Our Troops Act and the Protecting Military Families from Debt Act, to put military members and their families first. These policies are two of Congressman Kim’s top priorities for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in fiscal year 2023, which is being considered by the House Armed Services Committee next week.

“When I speak with members of the National Guard, reservists and military support organizations, they tell me that access to affordable dental care is a concern for them and that dental issues are one of the main reasons for which reservists are deemed undeployable”, said Congressman Kim. “With this bill, we are ensuring that all National Guardsmen and Reservists have access to TRICARE without a dental premium. My other bill ensures that military families have peace of mind while their family member is on active duty by capping interest rates on loans taken out by military families. Military members and military families sacrifice so much for us, and I’m proud to support providing those benefits they earn every day. »

The Dental Care for Our Troops Act, introduced with Congressman Trent Kelly (MS-01), is one of the largest Health care for our troops Lawwhich would ensure that all National Guard members and reservists have access to free health care as active duty military members do, even when not on active duty.

Dental coverage legislation is endorsed by the National Guard Association of the United States, the Reserve Organization of America, and the Military Officers Association of America. You can find a summary of Dental care act for our troops here.

“Our men and women in the Reserve and National Guard stand ready to defend America at home and around the world,” said Congressman Kelly. “It is our duty as members of Congress to ensure that they have access to preventive and ongoing dental care, just as we do for active duty military personnel. I am proud to be one of the principal co-sponsors of this important legislation which is essential to military preparation.

“Without affordable dental coverage, members of the National Guard and Reserve face barriers to maintaining complete health, which is a prerequisite for readiness,” said Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, USAF (Retired), MOAA President and CEO. “MOAA thanks Congressman Andy Kim and Congressman Trent Kelly for introducing this bill that would bring dental benefits closer to the reserve component of active duty and make it easier to access care. Our country relies on members of the Reserve Element to respond when our country needs them – we must support them with affordable dental care to ensure they are prepared.

The Military Debt Protection Act would help reduce interest rates on pre-service loans for serving military families and ease financial burdens while their military member is deployed. Interest rates are already capped at 6% for military members while deployed, and this legislation would extend the same protections to military family members. Military families sacrifice alongside our military while deployed, and Congress should provide them with all the protections they need so they can keep food on the table and a roof over their heads.

Family member debt protection legislation is endorsed by the Enlisted Association of the United States National Guard (EANGUS) and the Fleet Reserve Association. You can find a summary of Military Debt Protection Act here.

Congressman Kim is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Committee on Small Business. More information on Congressman Kim can be found on his website by click here.

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