Bills would provide life insurance and health insurance to Guard members

A proposal by state Sen. Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-Coventry) would provide free life insurance coverage to the 863 active-duty members of the Rhode Island National Guard and their families, at a cost to the state of about $16.25 per person per month.





Separately, state Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr. (D-Smithfield) has introduced a bill that would provide state employee and dependent health benefits to Rhode Island National Guard members who are called to active duty for more than 90 days. That bill has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.



Raptakis’ plan is modeled after an initiative by New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who recently asked his state’s legislature to cover the cost of insuring soldiers under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance program. All active-duty military personnel are eligible for the SGLI program, but many can’t afford the cost, according to Secretary of State Matt Brown, who has offered his support to Raptakis.