TRICARE

The Pentagon will reimburse civilian ambulances for administering blood to trauma patients before hospital arrival through a TRICARE demonstration project. The initiative aims to address the lack of blood in ambulances and encourage insurers to adopt similar payment models, inspired by military trauma care practices from conflicts in the Middle East.

The House passed a defense bill renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War, including a $1.15 trillion spending request and a 5-7% pay raise for service members. The bill faced partisan opposition, with Democrats criticizing defense spending and social policy provisions like a TRICARE gender care ban. Republican leaders attached Trump’s elections overhaul bill to the defense measure, intensifying divisions.

The House passed a defense policy bill that includes renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War, a $1.15 trillion national security budget, and a 5-7% pay raise for service members. The bill, which faced partisan opposition over spending and social policy riders like restrictions on gender-related medical care and eased firearm rules, was approved 216-212. Republican leaders attached Trump's elections overhaul bill to the defense measure, escalating tensions with the Senate.

The House passed a defense policy bill incorporating President Trump's $1.15 trillion national security spending request and renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War. The bill includes service member pay raises, TRICARE restrictions on gender-related medical care, and eased firearm policies on military bases. The partisan 216-212 vote reflects Democratic opposition to Pentagon spending increases and social policy riders, while Republicans linked Trump's elections overhaul bill to the defense measure.

The House passed a defense policy bill incorporating President Donald Trump's $1.15 trillion spending request and renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War. The bill includes a 5-7% pay raise for service members but faced partisan division over spending levels, social policy riders, and the inclusion of Trump's elections overhaul bill.

The House approved an amendment allowing qualified service members and Pentagon civilian employees to carry personal firearms on military bases by a narrow 215-214 vote. The measure establishes a presumption that commanders approve such requests, following an incident where an Army sergeant allegedly used a personal handgun to attack fellow soldiers at Fort Stewart in 2025. Other military policy amendments addressed TRICARE coverage for transgender-related care and restrictions on transgender girls in DOD schools.

Lawmakers are urging the Department of Defense to eliminate restrictions on autism therapy coverage for military families using TRICARE insurance. In a June 26, 2026 letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Senators Eric Schmitt and Kirsten Gillibrand demanded changes to TRICARE's coverage policies.

TRICARE beneficiaries in Pointe Coupee Parish can receive emergency prescription refills through June 29 due to Tropical Storm Arthur. Other parishes are also eligible for the waiver.