A bill to be introduced this week would allow young people keep free coverage through their parents’ Tricare accounts until they turn 26, Military Times reported.

“The Affordable Care Act allows young adults to stay on their parents’ health plans until age 26. However, military families do not receive this same benefit under Tricare,” the bill’s author, Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.) said. “During this public health emergency, it is more important than ever to provide our service members and their families with affordable and accessible health care.”

Current Tricare law allows dependents to stay on their parents’ Tricare plans until age 21 or until age 23 if they are taking college courses.

They can stay on the plan until age 26 through the Tricare Young Adult Program, but they are required to pay. About 40,000 dependents are enrolled in that program and would receive free care under Luria’s legislation.

Luria estimated the “Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act” would save some military families more $4,000 a year.

Army photo by Lesley Atkinson