Policy Issues
Together We’re Stronger®
As military families ourselves, we understand firsthand the issues that matter most to the military community. Who better to advocate for those priorities than those who live them?
NMFA stands alongside the families who sacrifice daily because we know what military life truly looks like. From tracking legislation and monitoring bills in Congress to submitting testimony and advocating for meaningful policy change, we help ensure military family voices are heard where decisions are made.
We stay closely attuned to the challenges families face, amplify their concerns, and work to strengthen their quality of life while their loved ones serve our country.
Learn more about these issues and how you can stand with military families, too.
Support the Pay Our Troops Act to Protect Military Families
Military families shouldn’t have to fear missing a paycheck during a government shutdown—Congress must act now by passing the Pay Our Troops Act (H.R. 5401).
Support Military Spouse Employment
Urge Congress to pass the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act (H.R. 6231 / S. 3265) to help reduce military spouse unemployment and strengthen military family readiness.
Support Equal Access to IVF Care for Military Families
Urge Congress to pass the FY 2026 NDAA provision that expands TRICARE to include comprehensive IVF and infertility care, giving military families the same support as civilian federal employees.
Extend TRICARE Coverage for Military Children
Urge Congress to pass the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act so military dependents can keep TRICARE until age 26, just like their civilian peers.
Support Military Moms—Make Pregnancy a TRICARE QLE
Military moms deserve timely, quality prenatal care. But without pregnancy recognized as a TRICARE Qualifying Life Event, many are stuck in overcrowded facilities.
The Improving Access to Prenatal Care for Military Families Act would fix this. Urge Congress to act—send a message in under two minutes.
NMFA urges Congress to build and expand upon the work of the House Armed Services Committee’s Quality of Life Panel to prioritize these critical issues impacting military families today:
Expand and enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include military spouses.
Military spouses face unemployment rates nearly three times the national average due to frequent relocations and career disruptions. Improved tracking of military spouse employment and expansion of the WOTC to incentivize businesses to hire military spouses will help address low household income.
Expand TRICARE coverage to include assisted reproductive technology (ART), including IVF.
Currently, TRICARE only provides fertility treatment in extremely limited circumstances, leaving many families to bear significant out-of-pocket costs for necessary care. As federal civilian employees gain this coverage starting in 2025, Congress must ensure military families receive the same support to access the care necessary to grow their families.
Recognize pregnancy as a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) under TRICARE.
Currently, pregnancy is not recognized as a QLE under TRICARE, preventing expectant mothers from switching plans outside the annual Open Season. This can create challenges, especially in areas with limited obstetric care or inadequate provider networks. Recognizing pregnancy as a QLE would allow families to select plans better suited to their maternity care needs, ensuring timely prenatal care and reducing financial strain.
Extend TRICARE coverage for young adult dependents up to age 26.
TRICARE currently ends coverage for young adult dependents at age 21 (or 23 for full-time students), forcing military families to shoulder additional costs for continued health care coverage. Civilian employer plans cover dependents up to age 26 at no extra cost, and TRICARE must be aligned to ensure continuity of coverage for young adults.
Ensure that all military families have a safe and healthy home environment.
Far too many military families in privatized military family housing must cope with mold, pest infestation, substandard maintenance, and other unhealthy living environments. There must be greater accountability for the contractors that manage privatized housing to ensure that all military families can be safe and healthy at home.
Printable Formats
Our Legislative Priorities are available in a one-page printable format.
Previous Legislative Priorities are also available in a one-page printable format.
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