To amend title 10, United States Code, to expand the authority to provide a wig and treat traction alopecia under the TRICARE program, and for other purposes.
This bill expands TRICARE coverage to include wigs and treatment for traction alopecia - a type of hair loss caused by tight hairstyles, chemical treatments, or prolonged tension on the hair - directly affecting active-duty military members who develop this condition. It amends military health law to explicitly add "traction alopecia" to coverage for wigs and treatment, and requires the military to issue new grooming guidelines by September 2024 warning service members about the health risks of tight hairstyles, dyes, and chemical products. The key change is broadening existing TRICARE benefits to specifically cover this preventable condition, while mandating education on its causes. This is a policy adjustment to improve health care access for affected service members, not a new benefit.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2023
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced May 23, 2023
Last action May 23, 2023
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
May 23, 2023
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
lower
May 23, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 28 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Bonnie Watson Coleman
DDemocratic
Co
Alma S. Adams
DDemocratic
Co
André Carson
DDemocratic
Co
Ayanna Pressley
DDemocratic
Co
Barbara Lee
DDemocratic
Co
Bennie G. Thompson
DDemocratic
Co
Brittany Pettersen
DDemocratic
Co
Danny K. Davis
DDemocratic
Co
Eleanor Holmes Norton
DDemocratic
Co
Emanuel Cleaver
DDemocratic
Co
Gregory W. Meeks
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HR 3617
Scope: US
Hi! I can help you understand HR 3617. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline