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• Position: Life insurance for military personnel - Brief Article

Serving in the nation's military can be dangerous duty--more than 1,500 U.S. military personnel have died in Iraq in the last two years and nearly four times as many have been seriously wounded.

And while $250,000 in life insurance coverage is available through the federal government for $20 a month, it is a financial burden for many soldiers, even those who opt for reduced coverage at a lower cost. State lawmakers are looking at ways to help cover the premium costs for life insurance and increase death benefits for their citizens called to active duty.

Legislators in at least 30 states introduced bills this year to ensure that National Guard members have life insurance coverage. New Mexico is the first to pass legislation, creating a fund to reimburse the premiums paid by its National Guard members.

At least 11 states have introduced legislation to increase death benefits or survivor compensation for National Guard families. Virginia's legislation would pay an additional $20,000 for public...