WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), introduced the bipartisan TRICARE OBGYN Treatment and Access without Lags in Care Act (TOTAL Care Act) with Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) and Congresswoman Maria Salazar (FL-27). This legislation would eliminate referral requirements for obstetric and gynecologic care under TRICARE Prime, providing service members and their families with more timely and effective access to critical health services.

“Military families face enough challenges without unnecessary barriers to essential healthcare,” said Congressman Horsford. “The TOTAL Care Act will streamline access to OB-GYN care to ensure families don’t experience delays that can lead to more serious health concerns. Every servicemember and their dependents deserve healthcare that works for them.”

"OB-GYN care is primary care,” said Congresswoman Houlahan. “As a veteran, I am proud to stand with my colleagues to introduce this long overdue legislation to ensure our servicemembers and their families receive care in line with their civilian counterparts and without additional referrals or barriers," said Houlahan. "Today, there are more women in our armed forces than ever. They should not be unfairly burdened simply because they raised their right hands in service. With retention issues looming and increasing global conflicts abroad, now is the time to double down in our dedication to our servicemembers. This bipartisan effort reaffirms that they matter and that their care is paramount to our collective security.” 

The TOTAL Care Act establishes a pilot program to allow TRICARE Prime beneficiaries to seek obstetric and gynecologic care without a referral. This includes ordering related medical items and designating an OB-GYN provider as an additional primary care provider. By addressing delays caused by referral requirements, this legislation seeks to improve outcomes for women’s health while reducing the strain on primary care providers.

The pilot program would last five years and include a detailed assessment of its impact on enrollment and costs to ensure transparency and accountability in its implementation. This initiative reflects a bipartisan desire to support military families by ensuring their healthcare needs are met with the urgency and quality of care they deserve.

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She represents Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. She is the recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award which “recognizes members who demonstrate the bipartisan leadership and constructive governing necessary to move our country forward” and the Congressional Management Foundation’s 2022 Democracy Award for best Constituent Services in Congress. 

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