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SB 787

Virginia National Guard TRICARE Reimbursement Fund; established.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Luther Cifers

SB 787 creates a Virginia state fund to reimburse TRICARE healthcare costs for National Guard members, shifting military health expenses to state budget.

Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB787)
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Bill Summary · SB 787

Legislative bill overview

SB 787 establishes a dedicated reimbursement fund for TRICARE (the Department of Defense health insurance program) costs incurred by Virginia National Guard members. The bill creates a financial mechanism to help offset healthcare expenses for these military personnel and their families.

Why is this important

Virginia National Guard members and their families often face out-of-pocket TRICARE expenses that aren't fully covered by federal benefits. This fund could reduce financial hardship for active duty and reserve military personnel while potentially improving recruitment and retention in the state guard. The fiscal impact statement suggests measurable cost implications that the state legislature is now evaluating.

Potential points of contention

  • State budget impact: The fiscal impact statement indicates real costs to Virginia's budget; legislators must weigh this against other spending priorities during budget deliberations
  • Federal vs. state responsibility: Questions about whether healthcare costs for a federally-controlled military component should be a state budget obligation rather than a federal one
  • Program scope and eligibility: Unclear whether reimbursement covers all TRICARE plans, all guardsmen equally, or only specific categories, which could affect fairness and cost predictability

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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