OKC Standard

Washington, D.C. – On May 26, 2023, Representative Stephanie Bice (R-OK) and Representative Mikie Sherill (D-NJ) reintroduced H.R. 3628, the Supporting Disabled National Guardsmen Act.

This legislation would ensure that National Guardsmen who are disabled while serving on State Active Duty are able to access medical care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and disability benefits through the Department of Defense (DoD). Unfortunately, Guardsmen injured on State Active Duty are unable to access medical care through the Department of Veterans Affairs for their injuries and are ineligible for a Department of Defense disability pension when they can no longer work due to their injuries. Rather, these servicemembers generally must rely on state workers’ compensation plans, which are often woefully inferior to traditional military health and disability benefits.

Rep. Bice became aware that National Guardsmen were not covered by federal benefits while on active duty in a state, following a tragic accident in Vinita, Okla. On February 15, 2021, Oklahoma National Guard Specialist Cody Casey was catastrophically injured assisting stranded motorists during a winter storm when his Humvee was struck by a semi. 

“In the instance of SPC. Casey, I am concerned about the coverage for his long-term health care and the fact that he can’t get VA health care for those injuries,” Rep. Bice said. “It’s our duty as a nation to provide high quality health and disability benefits to those who put their lives on the line to assist the citizens of this country, whether that’s on an overseas battlefield, or American soil.”

“In times of crisis, the National Guard is always there to keep our communities safe and provide critical emergency assistance. No member of the National Guard should have to worry about being unable to access high quality healthcare or disability benefits if they are injured,” said Rep. Sherrill. “We owe all servicemembers – whether Guard, Reserve, or active duty – and their families a debt of gratitude for their service to our country. I am proud to ensure that members of the National Guard have access to the care they have earned by co-leading this commonsense, bipartisan legislation.” 

"Ensuring National Guard Servicemembers are well cared for after a severe injury is our top concern," said MSgt (Ret) Daniel Reilly, President of EANGUS, "Regardless of the type of order or status our National Guard servicemembers are working under, if they are injured it is our nation's responsibility to ensure they are well cared for and receive the proper VA benefits, the National Guard has truly become our nations 911 and their sacrifice should not be determined by order type. We thank Rep Stephanie Bice for recognizing our needs and introducing this legislation."

“Our service members are our greatest resource. When one of them is injured in the line of duty, they must be fully covered and cared for regardless of what status they are serving in,” said retired Brigadier General J. Roy Robinson. “Inadequate care and benefits are unacceptable, simply put. We greatly appreciate Representative Bice and her efforts to correct this.”

The National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS) are two prominent national military associations who have endorsed the Supporting Disabled National Guardsmen Act.

Original source can be found here.