WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced The Newborn Care Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation that would double the number of days veterans receive care for their newborns from seven to 14. Currently, a veteran must find outside healthcare for her child within seven days of birth or the baby will not have health insurance.
“The brave men and women who served in our military deserve the best healthcare for them and their families,” said Senator Tillis. “I want to thank Senator Klobuchar for her partnership on this bipartisan legislation that justly increases the number of days veterans receive care for their newborns so families can have adequate time to find healthcare for their children.”
“When our veterans sign up to serve, they often do so knowing they risk making the ultimate sacrifice,” said Senator Klobuchar. “As leaders, we have a duty to make sure we minimize the risks they confront at home and must do everything we can to make sure they have the resources they need to start a happy, healthy family.”
Tillis and Klobuchar have led Senate efforts to support our troops when they return home and improve healthcare for our nation’s service members and veterans. In February, the lawmakers introduced the Helping Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits Act. The bipartisan bill would create a center of excellence within the Department of Veterans Affairs to better understand the health effects associated with burn pits and treat veterans who become sick after exposure. Last month, Tillis and Klobuchar introduced the Savings for Service members Act aimed at reducing the travel minimum to 50 miles, which would align the treatment of National Guard and Reservists with federal workers who have a 50 mile minimum for travel compensation, and reduce the cost of service to those in the Guard and Reserves. Every month, members of the National Guard travel to complete their required duty training and typically pay for travel out of their own pocket. Currently members can only claim their mileage and other travel expenses on their taxes if they travel over 100 miles from their residence for training or if travel expenses exceed two percent of a soldier’s adjusted gross income.
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