U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) cosponsored the Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act, legislation to give combat veterans the option to enroll in their health care benefits program before officially transitioning out of active duty.

The bill would create an opt-in program to allow transitioning servicemembers to access Veterans Affairs (VA) health care services their first day as a civilian. Currently, transitioning service members must wait until they have left service and received their official separation paperwork to apply for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) health care and other services. That process can take several months, creating an unacceptable period where veterans do not have access to the health care benefits that they have earned.

“New Mexico’s veterans have made tremendous sacrifices in service to our nation, and we must leave no stone unturned to make sure they can access the benefits that they have earned,” Heinrich said. “I’m proud to cosponsor the Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act to give combat veterans the option to enroll in their health care benefits program before officially transitioning out of active duty—ensuring veterans have uninterrupted access to the care they need to live long and healthy lives.”

Studies have shown the first year of a servicemember’s transition to civilian life is the most difficult and a time when they are at a higher risk to commit suicide. More than 200,000 servicemembers transition from military to civilian life every year, and this pre-enrollment period would ensure they have access to mental and physical care immediately upon separation.

The legislation was led by U.S. Sen. Angus King (I-Maine).

Alongside Heinrich, the bill was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.).

The text of the bill is here.