Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act of 2024: Addressing Health Care Coverage for Transitioning Service Members

Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif., is leading the charge in Congress to address the critical issue of health care coverage for veterans transitioning from active duty to civilian life. With the introduction of the Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act of 2024, Kim aims to create a 3-year pilot program through the Department of Veterans Affairs that would allow members of the armed services to pre-enroll for their health care, eliminating the current 180-day waiting period.

The bill, which has garnered bipartisan support, seeks to bridge the gap in coverage that many veterans face when they leave active duty and transition to civilian life. By enabling service members to pre-enroll for health care before their official separation from the military, the legislation aims to provide a smoother transition and ensure that veterans have immediate access to the care they need.

In a statement, Kim emphasized the importance of supporting veterans as they transition back to civilian life, stating, “We don’t want servicemembers — after actively serving, defending our country, defending our nation — to come back and transition into civilian life with the added burden of what they need to do if they don’t have [health care] coverage.”

The bill has already received endorsements from prominent veterans organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Wounded Warrior Project. A companion bill in the Senate further underscores the bipartisan support for this crucial legislation.

As the Department of Veterans Affairs continues to see an increase in demand for services, the need for immediate access to health care for veterans is more pressing than ever. With the Combat Veterans Pre-Enrollment Act of 2024, Rep. Young Kim is taking proactive steps to ensure that veterans receive the care and support they deserve as they transition to civilian life.