November 2022 — MHCE Newsletter

WWW.MHCE.US Monthly Newsletter | 29
devices to store their personal
not been able to deploy when
as well as invest in the long-term
including assault and rape, and
firearms, are also attached to
needed because of a dental
upkeep of the facilities. The
grant up to $7,500 to victims
the bill.
issue."
Defense Department would be
leaving abusive relationships
“We have an obligation to
address this extraordinary rate
of suicide in the military,”
Several other measures are
dedicated to improving access
to child care and the quality
required to significantly ramp
up spending on maintenance
during the next four years.
with a service member.
Congressional work to
produce a bicameral 2023
Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif.,
of military child development
The defense bill additionally
defense bill is not likely to
said this week on the House
centers.
forces the Pentagon to build
commence until September,
floor. “This is one modest
step."
Speier also successfully
lobbied to eliminate Tricare
insurance co-pays for
One provision would help
families on waitlists for onbase
care by paying them up to
$400 more per month to afford
civilian child care. Another
on the military justice reforms
enacted in last year’s version of
the NDAA and offer stronger
support for victims of sexual
assault.
the earliest that the Senate is
expected to vote on its version
of the legislation.
“Our work is not done,” said
Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama,
contraception for one year,
would provide financial
Sexual harassment prosecutions
the top Republican on the
giving women service
support for extended family
would move outside the
Armed Services Committee.
members and their families
members who take on child
chain of command under the
“We will continue to improve
benefits long available to
care duties during a move to a
legislation, giving the cases to
upon this bill in conference
civilians under the 2010
different duty station.
independent prosecutors rather
to ensure that this legislation
Affordable Care Act. An effort
to expand troop access to
abortions at military medical
facilities failed to clear the
Rules Committee for a floor
Lawmakers also agreed to
raise pay and improve benefits
at child development centers
to attract and retain employees
than commanders. Lawmakers
are also directing the military to
establish a compensation fund
for victims of violent crimes,
gives our warfighters what
they need.”
vote.
Another health care provision
put forward by Democrat
Andy Kim of New Jersey
and Republican Trent Kelly
of Mississippi will provide
all members of the National
Guard and reservists access to
the same no-fee dental care as
active-duty troops.
"It is our sworn duty as
members of Congress to
ensure they have access to
preventative and continuous
dental care -- just as we
do for active-duty military
personnel," Kelly, a major
general in the Mississippi
Army National Guard, said
last month. "All too often,
these men and women have