WASHINGTON, D.C. – Every year, approximately 200,000 men and women leave U.S. military service and return to life as civilians. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs Committees, joined U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) in introducing the Servicemember to Veteran Health Care Connection Act.

The legislation would codify and build upon the existing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pre-transition health care registration process for all service members transitioning to civilian life, ensuring they have more timely access to mental and physical care upon separation. 

“As service members in North Dakota and across the U.S. return to civilian life, we must ensure they have access to critical health care services and resources before a time of crisis,” said Senator Cramer. “Our bipartisan legislation will allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to connect with service members as they transition to civilian life, allowing them to more proactively use the benefits they’ve earned.”

“Our servicemembers continually put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and they deserve the very best care and support long after they retire the uniform,” said Senator King. “The Servicemember to Veteran Health Care Connection Act is a simple way to ensure these brave men and women can easily access the health benefits they earned and deserve. By eliminating this bureaucratic lag, we are keeping our promise to deliver timely, quality care to those who served.”

“Veterans represent the best of our country. Our men and women in uniform have made incredible sacrifices so that we can be free, and we have a responsibility to fulfill our commitment to them once their service is complete,” said Senator Rounds. “Many servicemembers are faced with the potential for a lapse in their care when transitioning from the military to civilian life. The Servicemember to Veteran Health Care Connection Act would start the process for servicemembers to enroll in the VA health care program before they officially make the transition out of active duty, making certain there is no lapse in the health care services newly-separated veterans need.”

Click here for bill text.