Bill > H4575

This resolution memorializes the United States Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act, which addresses a significant issue affecting military service members who are medically retired before completing twenty years of service. The resolution highlights the case of Major Richard Star, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who was diagnosed with lung cancer after exposure to burn pits, and who was forced to retire early, subsequently losing the ability to collect full retirement and disability benefits. Currently, service members with less than twenty years of service and a disability rating under fifty percent have their retirement pay reduced by one dollar for every dollar of disability pay received, impacting an estimated 50,000 retired service members. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the average monthly offset in 2022 was approximately $1,900. The resolution argues that the Major Richard Star Act would remove these restrictions, ensuring that all medically retired service members can receive full access to both retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits, honoring the service and sacrifices of veterans regardless of the associated costs.

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=4575&session=126&summary=B