Overture 04-56. On Reinstating Board of Pension Medical Coverage for Persons on Active Duty—From the Presbytery of Eastminster.

The Presbytery of Eastminster overtures the 216th General Assembly (2004) to approve that any person whose medical coverage through the Presbyterian Board of Pensions (BOP) was discontinued while on active duty with a Reserve or National Guard unit will have his/her medical coverage reinstated upon assuming civilian status. Said coverage will be in force for six months (185 days) or until employment or school-related issues can be resolved and current eligibility guidelines met. Premiums that have been paid out-of-pocket for BOP medical coverage under these circumstances since 1/1/03 will be returned to the payee.

Rationale

Some of our ordained clergy, nonordained staff, and dependents had medical coverage through the Presbyterian Board of Pensions (BOP) until such time as they were called into active military duty by the Reserves or National Guard.

The BOP has determined that they would not be covered when they are released from active duty until their job or educational status is resolved and fits within current eligibility guidelines.

The BOP will already provide medical coverage upon the voluntary payment of additional premiums upon their return—until their job or educational status is resolved and fits within current eligibility guidelines.

It could take one to six months for a person whose civilian life was interrupted to re-enter the workforce or a qualifying educational institution.

These persons need medical coverage immediately upon assuming civilian status, and such coverage would be secondary for any medical conditions that arose as a result of military service, for which the U.S. government bears a continuing responsibility until those conditions are resolved.