Gates praises healthcare bill after vote

Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Sunday evening issued a statement to reassure the U.S. military members and their families that the healthcare bill passed by the House of Representatives.

The healthcare bill came under fire from the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Republicans who said that the bill would not protect
the health programs provided to veterans, servicemembers or their families by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the military’s Tricare system.

"Our troops and their families can be re-assured that the health care reform legislation being passed by the Congress will not negatively impact the TRICARE medical insurance program, as it already meets the bill's quality and minimum benefit standards.  This was clarified by a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday and is expected to be re-affirmed by the Senate," Gates said in a statement Sunday.

"The President and I are committed to seeing that our troops, retirees and their families will continue to receive the best quality health care."