Brief ⁽¹⁾

HCR 5011 memorializes the Congress of the United States to provide lifetime health care benefits for military retirees and their families. The resolution points out that:

• •Retired veterans were guaranteed through contract lifetime access to medical benefits for themselves and their immediate families upon retirement;
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• •Prior to retirement at age 65 years, this population was provided a health care service system or through other United States Department of Defense programs, but upon reaching age 65 years and through recent federal regulatory changes in entitlements for military health care benefits, these individuals and their families lost significant portions of their health care support system;
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• •Lost medical benefits have forced veterans to pay out-of-pocket expenses for medical coverage from alternative sources such as Medicare;
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• •Many retired veterans and their immediate families live on fixed incomes, where the loss of medical benefits impacts their quality of life; and
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• •Many retired veterans suffering from service connected injuries, illnesses, or medically-related quality of life developments have found that their access to medical treatment facilities is now limited due to downsizing or in many rural areas has become nonexistent.
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The resolution also acknowledges contributions of veterans by noting that:

• •These individuals unselfishly served Kansas and the nation.
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• •During foreign and domestic crises of the 20^th Century, veterans were involved in conflicts such as Ardennes, Wake, Guadalcanal, Normandy, Bastogne, and Iwo Jima; and during the Korean War in campaigns such as Inchon and Choson; and later in other Asian conflicts such as DaNang, Khe Sanh, Hue, and Quang Tri.
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The resolution states that the Legislature has a special charge to safeguard and maintain the quality of life for its citizens that have served and earned a retirement from military service. In addition, the Legislature requests and petitions its Congressional representatives of the United States to address concerns regarding health care coverage of retired military veterans and their immediate families.

The Secretary of State is directed to send enrolled copies of the resolution to the President, the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each member of the Kansas Congressional Delegation.

Background

Proponents of the resolution included Representatives Tafanelli and Wilk, the Senior Advisor, Veterans Affairs, a member of Class Act Group, the Adjutant General, a Lieutenant General, a representative of the National Guard Association of Kansas, and a spokesperson of Kansas Council of Chapters, The Retired Officers Association.

There were no opponents.

1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/fulltext.cgi