releases: http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/house-representatives-strengthens-commitment-colorado%E2%80%99s-veterans
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://tipton.house.gov/press-release/house-representatives-strengthens-commitment-colorado%E2%80%99s-veterans | House of Representatives Strengthens Commitment to Colorados Veterans | 2016-11-30 | 2016 | 2016-11 | Republican | House | CO | Scott Tipton | T000470 | tipton.house.gov | legacy | The U.S. House of Representatives advanced legislation this week aimed at strengthening health care and education benefits for veterans. The Veterans TRICARE Choice Act of 2016 (H.R. 5458) passed the House unanimously, and the Protecting Veterans’ Educational Choice Act of 2016 (H.R. 5047) passed with a bipartisan vote of 411-3. Congressman Scott Tipton (CO-03) supported the passage of both bills. “Our state is home to over 400,000 of our nation’s veterans. These men and women have put their lives on the line to protect our freedom, and it is our duty to ensure they are cared for when they return home,” Tipton said. “I am committed to making sure federal policies help us honor and serve the men and women who have so honorably served our country, and I’m glad that we have advanced policies that will help resolve some of the health care and education challenges that many of our veterans face.” Under current law, if an individual is eligible for TRICARE, they are not eligible to make contributions or receive employer contributions to a tax-exempt Health Savings Account (HSA), and there is no mechanism in place for an individual to suspend their TRICARE eligibility. H.R. 5458 gives veterans the flexibility to suspend their TRICARE benefits if they determine an employer-offered high-deductible health plan with a HSA is a better solution for their health care needs. The veteran would retain the ability to resume their TRICARE coverage in the future. “In order to ensure our veterans are receiving the best health care possible, we need to roll back the red tape that has kept military retirees from utilizing the health coverage that makes the most sense for them and their families,” Tipton said. H.R. 5047 addresses challenges that many veterans have faced when trying to use their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. The bill requires the VA to provide all veterans with information about the educational services that are available to them, as well as inform veterans about the various credit transfer agreements between educational institutions. “Many veterans receive very little guidance from the VA regarding their education benefits. We’re seeing veterans exhaust their benefits at institutions that don’t have credit transfer agreements in place or attend schools that lack accreditation altogether,” Tipton added. “We must support our nation’s heroes in their pursuit of higher education when they return home from their service, and it starts by making sure they have all of the information necessary to make an informed decision.” H.R. 5458 and H.R. 5047 must now be considered by the Senate. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |