STAND. COM. REP. NO.  2068

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

 

RE:   H.R. No. 171

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 171 entitled:

 

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVES WHO ARE STILL RECOVERING FROM ILLNESSES OR INJURIES INCURRED IN THE LINE OF DUTY WHILE MOBILIZED FOR DEPLOYMENT TO IRAQ OR AFGHANISTAN, AND WHO HAVE EITHER BEEN DISCHARGED FOR MEDICAL REASONS OR RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY TO THEIR RESERVE COMPONENT UNITS, TO CONTINUE TO HAVE ACCESS TO DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MEDICAL FACILITIES ON THE SAME BASIS AS ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS, OR TO RECEIVE TRICARE COVERAGE ON THE SAME BASIS AS RETIREES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this resolution is to request the United States Department of Defense to allow reserve component military service members who have sustained illnesses or injuries in the line of duty after mobilization for deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom to either, until such time as they have fully recovered from their injuries:

 

     (1)  Continue to be treated at the United States Department of Defense medical facilities on the same basis as active duty service members after they have been discharged or released from active duty to their reserve component units; or

 

     (2)  Provide them with coverage under the military's Tricare program on the same basis as military retirees.

 

     The Department of Defense, National Guard Association of Hawaii Insurance Trust, and numerous concerned individuals supported this resolution.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 171 and recommends its adoption.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SHARON E. HAR, Acting Chair and Vice Chair