To permit retired members of the Armed Forces and their dependents who are entitled to Medicare to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 30, 1996

Directs the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) under which current or former military personnel who are or become entitled to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act are offered enrollment in a Federal employees health benefits plan in lieu of receiving care in military treatment facilities or through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). Allows such enrollment for any dependent of such individual if the dependent is entitled to health care under CHAMPUS and is or becomes entitled to hospital insurance benefits under Medicare. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) contributions for such coverage; (2) management of member participation; and (3) cancellation of coverage. Directs the Secretary and the OPM Director to report jointly to the Congress each year on the provision of such services to eligible persons during the preceding fiscal year. Requires the Secretary to offer such health benefits option no later than January 1, 1997.

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PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Stearns, Cliff [R-FL-6] · R–FL

Committees

Armed Services Committee
Oversight and Government Reform Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Rep. McCollum, Bill [R-FL-8]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

May 8, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
May 8, 1996
Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
May 2, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil Service.
Apr 30, 1996
Referred to the Committee on National Security, and in addition to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 30, 1996
Referred to the Committee on National Security, and in addition to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 30, 1996
Referred to the Committee on National Security, and in addition to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 30, 1996
Introduced in House
Apr 30, 1996
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Apr 30, 1996 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jun 6, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3368 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3368, 104th Congress: To permit retired members of the Armed Forces and their dependents who are entitled to Medicare to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/3368

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-04-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr3368/BILLS-104hr3368ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.3368 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.3368 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3368, 104th Congress: To permit retired members of the Armed Forces and their dependents who are entitled to Medicare to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/3368

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-04-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr3368/BILLS-104hr3368ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3368 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3368 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3368, 104th Congress: To permit retired members of the Armed Forces and their dependents who are entitled to Medicare to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/3368

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-04-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr3368/BILLS-104hr3368ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3368 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3368 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3368, 104th Congress: To permit retired members of the Armed Forces and their dependents who are entitled to Medicare to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/house-bill/3368

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1996-04-30.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/104/bills/hr3368/BILLS-104hr3368ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:19:22Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3368 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.