SALUTE Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3148

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Armed Forces and National Security

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-01: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Last Updated

2025-12-12T09:08:07Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The SALUTE Act (H.R. 3148) aims to establish a temporary pilot program through the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide optional supplemental insurance coverage for certain active-duty military members and their dependents. This coverage targets out-of-pocket costs related to cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment that are not covered by the standard TRICARE health program (the military's health care system).

Key Provisions

• Pilot Program Setup: The Secretary of Defense must launch the program by September 30, 2026. It allows eligible individuals to buy "fixed indemnity" supplemental insurance plans—policies that pay fixed amounts for specific medical events, regardless of other insurance.
• Insurance Agreements: DoD will contract with up to two licensed insurance companies to offer these plans. Key requirements include:
• Plans must comply with existing federal rules for supplemental military insurance (under Title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations).
• They operate independently, without linking to TRICARE or other health plans.
• Coverage focuses on non-covered cancer-related expenses (e.g., copays, deductibles, or uncovered treatments).
• Contracts last at least three years; selection prioritizes company expertise and statewide licensing.
• DoD negotiates plan terms, costs, eligibility checks, and premium payments via payroll deduction.
• Enrollment and Information: Participation is voluntary. DoD must post details on the TRICARE website, including how to enroll, benefits, and costs.
• Funding and Oversight: No federal funds can subsidize premiums; participants pay full cost. Selected companies are not treated as federal contractors. The program preempts (overrides) most state insurance laws, except those on company licensing and financial stability.
• Reporting and End Date: DoD must report to Congress after three years on enrollment numbers, usage examples, and whether to make it permanent. The program ends after five years unless extended.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a new DoD-administered pilot for cancer-specific supplemental insurance, which does not currently exist under TRICARE (Title 10, U.S. Code, Chapter 55).
• Builds on but expands existing allowances for fixed indemnity plans by tailoring them to cancer care and mandating DoD involvement in selection, negotiation, and promotion.
• Adds preemption of state laws for these plans, potentially streamlining federal oversight but limiting state regulatory input beyond basic licensing.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The DoD gains administrative responsibilities (e.g., contracting, eligibility verification, reporting) without new funding for subsidies, potentially straining resources during setup. Congress receives data to evaluate expansion.
• On Citizens: Active-duty members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force—and their TRICARE-enrolled dependents—gain access to affordable, targeted coverage for cancer costs, reducing financial burdens for about 1.3 million active-duty personnel and families. Non-participants face no changes.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, as it focuses on domestic military health benefits.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Military Personnel and Families: Primary beneficiaries, including active-duty service members and eligible dependents, who may face high cancer-related costs.
• Department of Defense and TRICARE: Responsible for implementation, promotion, and evaluation.
• Insurance Companies: Up to two selected firms gain opportunities to serve military customers but must meet strict federal and state licensing standards.
• Congress: Oversight through committees (e.g., Armed Services) and decisions on permanence based on the report.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The preemption clause could lead to challenges if states argue it undermines their insurance oversight, though it aligns with federal authority over military benefits. Fixed indemnity plans avoid "coordination of benefits" rules, preventing them from being classified as comprehensive health insurance under federal law.
• Constitutional: Falls within Congress's enumerated powers to regulate the military and provide for its welfare (Article I, Section 8), with no apparent free speech or due process issues.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from 20+ members across parties) highlights support for military health enhancements. If successful, it could set a precedent for expanding supplemental benefits; failure might limit future DoD insurance initiatives due to the sunset provision.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Jack, Brian [R-GA-3]

Cosponsors (32)

Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Moore, Riley M. [R-WV-2], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2], Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9], Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5], Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12], Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5], Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-01: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
• 2025-05-01: Introduced in House
• 2025-05-01: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Supporting America’s Leaders Undergoing Tough Expenses Act — issued 2025-05-01 — PDF (7 pages)