Supporting Disabled National Guardsmen Act
Supporting Disabled National Guardsmen Act
Plain Language Summary
# Supporting Disabled National Guardsmen Act Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill would provide financial and medical benefits to National Guard members who become disabled while on state active duty—work done for their state governor that doesn't qualify for federal military pay. Currently, these members lack access to certain federal disability benefits that active-duty military personnel receive. The bill would allow eligible disabled National Guard members to receive Department of Defense retirement pay and access medical care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to treat their service-related disabilities. **Who It Affects and Key Details** The bill primarily affects National Guard members injured during state active duty assignments after September 23, 1996. It covers situations like training exercises or emergency response work ordered by a governor, but excludes regular mandatory drills and field training.
To prevent overlapping benefits, any disability pay provided would be reduced if the member receives duplicate payments from other federal or state disability programs. The VA would cover medical services related to the disability and any resulting health conditions. **Current Status** The bill (HR 1824) was introduced by Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK) in the 119th Congress and is currently pending review in committee. It has not yet been voted on by the full House.
CRS Official Summary
Supporting Disabled National Guardsmen Act This bill provides disability pay and medical care for members of the National Guard who were physically disabled as a result of state active duty. State active duty includes training or other duty in service to the governor of a state for which the member is not entitled to federal pay, but excludes required drills and field exercises. The bill expands eligibility for Department of Defense retired pay to such members who are physically disabled as a result of state active duty after September 23, 1996. Such pay must be reduced if it is determined to duplicate any other federal or state benefit to such members based on disability. The bill also makes such members eligible for hospital care and medical services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to treat the disability and any illness or condition arising from the disability. The VA may provide reimbursement for hospital care or medical services provided to such members only after a member or the provider of care has exhausted (without success) all claims and remedies reasonably available against a third party.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.