“US Senator Charles E. Schumer pushed bi-partisan legislation that would ensure children of severely disabled veterans are able to stay on their VA [US Department of Veteran Affairs] sponsored health insurance plan – CHAMPVA – until age 26, which is a benefit offered to dependent adult children on private health insurance plans, but not to those who receive CHAMPVA,” the statement said.
Currently over 13,000 New Yorkers are currently enrolled in CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of VA). New 2015 program will correct the outdated rules, which kick adult children off the plan at age 18, if they are not full-time students and then at age 23 regardless of enrollment status, Schumer’s office explained.
“It is only fair that the children of our veterans who have made the greatest sacrifice and suffered tremendous hardship are eligible for health care coverage under their parents’ plan in the same way as their peers,” Senator Schumer said in the statement.
The bill was introduced by Senator Jon Tester of Montana, and has bi-partisan support, according to the press release.
According to VA statistics, there were 19.6 million veterans in the United States in 2013.
