Veterans’ True Choice Act of 2025

House Bill

H.R. 244

119th Congress

Veterans’ True Choice Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 9, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Debbie Dingell

Representative

Democratic

MI-6

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Summary

This bill allows certain veterans to receive coverage under TRICARE Select, the DOD health care program, as an alternative to VA health care. Eligible veterans include those with service-connected disabilities, former prisoners of war, Purple Heart recipients, Medal of Honor recipients, those discharged due to disability, and those entitled to disability compensation. The VA must reimburse DOD for enrollment costs. Veterans cannot receive medical care from both DOD and VA simultaneously, requiring a choice between systems.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill allows certain veterans to receive coverage under TRICARE Select, the DOD health care program, as an alternative to VA health care. Eligible veterans include those with service-connected disabilities, former prisoners of war, Purple Heart recipients, Medal of Honor recipients, those discharged due to disability, and those entitled to disability compensation. The VA must reimburse DOD for enrollment costs. Veterans cannot receive medical care from both DOD and VA simultaneously, requiring a choice between systems.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Veterans' True Choice Act of 2025This bill allows covered veterans to receive coverage under TRICARE Select, a health care program of the Department of Defense (DOD). Veterans covered by this bill include those with service-connected disabilities, former prisoners of war, Purple Heart recipients, Medal of Honor recipients, those discharged from service due to disability, and those entitled to disability compensation.The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must reimburse DOD's costs of enrolling eligible veteran beneficiaries in the program.A covered veteran may not concurrently receive medical care from DOD and the VA.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Allows eligible veterans to choose TRICARE Select coverage
Covers disabled veterans, POWs, Purple Heart and Medal of Honor recipients
VA reimburses DOD for veteran enrollment costs
Veterans must choose between VA and DOD healthcare
Provides alternative to VA-only medical care system

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

For eligible veterans: Choice between VA and TRICARE Select healthcare. For VA healthcare system: Potential reduction in patient load. For DOD TRICARE: Expanded enrollment with VA reimbursement. For military treatment facilities: Additional veteran patients. For veterans frustrated with VA: Alternative pathway to care.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Subjects

Congressional oversight

Disability and paralysis

Health care costs and insurance

Health care coverage and access

Military medicine

Veterans' medical care

Veterans' pensions and compensation

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

244, 119th Congress (2025). "Veterans’ True Choice Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-244