So the US system forces a woman with child to choose between the child having a mom or having healthcare? May I find this barbaric and highly uncivilised?
Well, this remark ofcourse is coming from someone in a country where healthcare is seen as a human right for all inhabitants of the country, no matter their job or citizen status.
Warmly,
Gonneke, IBCLC in PP, LC lecturer, puzzled in southern Netherlands
--- On Mon, 2/1/10, Robyn Roche-Paull <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
From: Robyn Roche-Paull <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [LACTNET] Health coverage for mothers in military
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Monday, February 1, 2010, 1:09 AM
<< A couple of you have mentioned that pregnant women in the military have the option of leaving to care for their children rather than risk the chance of being deployed and separated for long periods of time, but that they must make this decision in mid-pregnancy when many of them don't know how they will feel after the birth.
What health care benefits does such a mother receive? Are the rest of her pregnancy, birth and postpartum care covered, and is the child also covered even if she leaves? Or does she forfeit all her benefits? What about benefits for her dependents besides the baby?>>
If an active duty mother decides to leave at her 20 week mark, she forfeits all medical benefits for herself and her unborn baby. Period. (There is a stopgap, temporary healthcare insurance offered, but it is very limited in scope, denies preexisting conditions, and has very strict guidelines to follow). Now this is do-able if she is military married to military and can then fall under her spouse's Tricare benefits. However, if she is a single active duty mother (which many are...that is another post, and not for Lactnet) then she has nothing---and therein lies the problem. Most mothers will not willingly give up the medical benefits, and so choose to remain on active duty. Then they have the baby, fall in love with said baby and don't want to remain in the military...too bad, you are now committed to fulfilling your obligation. Can you get out after the baby is born? Sure, if you want to deal with a huge paperwork nightmare, the backlash
of your co-workers, a less than honorable discharge, or a nasty reenlistment code on your paperwork.
As for any other dependents she may have, her civilian husband or children from a previous relationship...all will lose benefits, *if* she leaves the military early. The only way to keep your benefits after leaving the military is to *retire* from the military after 20 years of service, and even then you pay a premium (as Margo explained). And I will stop there, as this is getting off topic and I know not everyone cares nor agrees with the US military on this list.
Robyn Roche-Paull
BS: MCH, IBCLC, LLLL
US Navy Vet
Author and Founder-Breastfeeding in Combat Boots
Visit my website http://www.breastfeedingincombatboots.com
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/breastfeedingincombatboots
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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