Health coverage access extended for active-duty military         

[MAY 23, 2005]  SPRINGFIELD -- Legislation sponsored by state Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, and Rep. Rich Brauer, R-Springfield, extending the length of time active-duty military personnel can be considered dependents was recently approved by the General Assembly.

Brauer and Bomke introduced House Bill 116 after being contacted by a constituent from their district whose son was attending college and was called up for active military duty. Bomke explained that by the time the student returned to school he was over the age of 23 and was technically no longer qualified to be claimed as a dependent on his parent's state employee health insurance.

"Illinois men and women who have put their educational futures on hold to protect American interests abroad should not have the additional stress of returning home to find that their health insurance privileges have become obsolete," Bomke said. "I encourage Governor Blagojevich's support of this legislation, which protects the interests and health care needs of Illinois' brave military personnel."

Currently, state employees' children may be claimed as dependents if (a) under the age of 19; (b) attending college, and only then until the age of 23; or (3) mentally or physically handicapped. Often, members of the military who are under the age of 23 and attending school before they are called up return after a lengthy tour of duty -- often past the 23-year-old age cutoff.

Bomke explained that House Bill 116 would allow active-duty military personnel to remain as dependents on state employee health insurance after they return home if they are over the age of 23, but not yet 25, and they are still attending school. The bill provides that they can remain as dependents for an amount of time less than, or equal to, the amount of time they were on active duty when they were between the ages of 19 and 23.

"Representative Brauer and I felt that it was unfair for these young men and women to essentially be punished for serving their country," Bomke said. "It is important that all people have access to quality health care, and our military personnel are no exception."

House Bill 116 now proceeds to the governor for final consideration and approval.

[News release from Illinois Senate Republicans]

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