Schumer Eyes Health Coverage For Disabled Vets' Children

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer plans to discuss a proposal for legislation that would extend health care coverage for the children of disabled military veterans.

According to the New York Democrat, more than 13,000 state residents are enrolled in the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs -- or CHAMPVA. It's available for spouses and children of severely disabled vets.

But unlike private health plans, it doesn't let dependent adult children stay covered until age 26.

Instead, he says they get kicked off the plan at age 18 if they're not full-time students and then at age 23 regardless of school enrollment.

Schumer plans to discuss the proposed change in a conference call Wednesday.

He notes that TRICARE, an insurance plan for military personnel and their families, had a similar flaw fixed through legislation.

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