Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this motion would bring TRICARE contraception on par with the Affordable Care Act by prohibiting cost sharing for any method of contraception provided in the TRICARE retail pharmacy network or mail order. Mr. Speaker, our Nation's servicemembers should be provided the same access to preventive healthcare as those insured under the Affordable Care Act. Currently, TRICARE beneficiaries, including non-Active servicemembers and their dependents, and certain Active military members, do not have the same access to cost-free preventive care as civilians do. By requiring coverage for contraceptives with no out-of-pocket costs, the ACA increases women's access to contraceptives and saves women $255 per year, on average. This is a benefit we currently deny our female servicemembers. One-third of our U.S. military are women. Currently, about 15 percent of Active Duty servicemembers and 19 percent of the Reserve forces are comprised of women. Women are bravely serving in all parts of the military, including infantry and other combat units. Servicewomen are continuing to break barriers across the military, proving again and again that they are indispensable when it comes to defending this Nation. Unfortunately, this House continues to refuse these brave servicemembers access to the same healthcare that all civilian females have access to.…”