Mike D. Rogers
Representative for Alabama · Republican · United States
“(8) An assessment of NATO's deterrence efforts in Romania, including a description and evaluation of-- (A) United States force posture in Romania, including any new rotations to Romania intended to enhance deterrence following the 2025 decision to end the rotational presence of a United States brigade; (B) consultations with NATO allies r…”
“(8) An assessment of NATO's deterrence efforts in Romania, including a description and evaluation of-- (A) United States force posture in Romania, including any new rotations to Romania intended to enhance deterrence following the 2025 decision to end the rotational presence of a United States brigade; (B) consultations with NATO allies r…”
“(a) Requirement for Risk-based Approach.--Section 3843 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``Sec. 3843. Contractor business systems: monitoring and surveillance standards ``(a) Requirement for Risk-based Approach.--The Secretary shall implement an agile, streamlined risk-based approach to surveillance of contra…”
“(a) Requirement for Risk-based Approach.--Section 3843 of title 10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``Sec. 3843. Contractor business systems: monitoring and surveillance standards ``(a) Requirement for Risk-based Approach.--The Secretary shall implement an agile, streamlined risk-based approach to surveillance of contra…”
“(b) Modification of Certain Certifications and Assessments.-- (1) Certifications.--Section 1249(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Public Law 119-60) is amended-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``The certification described'' and inserting following: ``(1) In general.--Except as prov…”
“(b) Objectives.--The Commander shall ensure that the Cognitive Performance Enhancement Program-- (1) improves readiness, resilience, and recovery, using evidence-based holistic and proactive high-performance brain training that has a validated ability to scale cost- effectively across the special operations forces enterprise; [[Page H4842…”
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Every one of 4,912 lines we hold for Mike D. Rogers, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 32 of 99.
“(a) Establishment.-- (1) Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Defense Health Agency, shall establish a pilot program on blood pressure monitoring for pregnant and postpartum TRICARE beneficiaries in order to increase the rate of early detection of a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. (2) Model.--The Secretary may model the pilot program under paragraph (1) on a pilot program for blood pressure self- monitoring under the Healthy Start Program of the Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services.”
“(d) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report outlining-- (1) the total number of additional AEDs required to achieve Department-wide compliance with this section; (2) the estimated cost of procurement and maintenance of such AEDs; and (3) a timeline for full implementation across all military installations to comply with this section. (e) Covered Physical Training Event Defined.--In this section, the term ``covered physical training event'' means a required unit level physical training event or high-intensity exercise conducted by the Department of Defense. SEC. 760. PILOT PROGRAM ON REMOTE BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING FOR CERTAIN PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM TRICARE BENEFICIARIES.”
“(c) Three-minute Response Time Determination.--The Secretary shall determine the three-minute response time under subsection (a) by calculating the total elapsed time beginning at the recognition of a suspected sudden cardiac arrest and ending at the delivery of the first defibrillation shock, including all time required for AED retrieval, transport, and device preparation. In making such determinations, the Secretary may presume that locating an AED within 100 yards of the site of the covered physical training event will meet such response time.”
“(b) Requirements.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall-- (1) require that AEDs be staged at the immediate site of any covered physical training event; (2) ensure that at least one individual present at covered physical training event site is certified (as of the date of the event) in the use of an AED and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (commonly known as ``CPR''); and (3) establish a standardized protocol for regular quarterly inspections and maintenance of all AED units to ensure operational readiness.”
“(4) The terms ``TRICARE program'' and ``TRICARE Select'' have the meanings given such terms in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code. SEC. 759. ACCESS TO AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS DURING MILITARY PHYSICAL TRAINING. (a) Access to AEDs.--Beginning not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall ensure that, for any covered physical training event, an automated external defibrillator (in this section referred to as an ``AED'') is available and accessible at a distance that ensures a three-minute response time calculated under subsection (c).”
“(d) Definitions.--In this section: (1) The term ``covered Armed Forces'' means the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force. (2) The term ``covered enrollment change'' means a change to a previous election by an eligible beneficiary under subsection (b)(1) of section 1099 of title 10, United States Code, to enroll in a health care plan designated under subsection (c) of such section. (3) The term ``eligible beneficiary'' means an individual-- (A) eligible to enroll in TRICARE Select under section 1075(b) of title 10, United States Code, by reason of being a member or former member of the covered Armed Forces, or a dependent of such a member or former member; or (B) a member of the covered Armed Forces on active duty.”
“Each such report shall include the number of covered enrollment changes, disaggregated by-- (1) month, beginning with January 2027; and (2) whether the eligible beneficiary made such covered enrollment change-- (A) because the eligible beneficiary is a member of the covered Armed Forces on active duty who may enroll in TRICARE Select under the pilot program; (B) because the eligible beneficiary is a member of the covered Armed Forces who separated from active duty; (C) because the eligible beneficiary is a member of the covered Armed Forces who returned to active duty; (D) because the eligible beneficiary is a dependent of a member of the covered Armed Forces who separated from active duty; (E) because the eligible beneficiary is a dependent of a member of the covered Armed Forces who returned to active duty; or (F) based on the treatment, under the pilot program, of pregnancy as a qualifying event for enrollment in TRICARE Select.”
“(c) Annual Report.--Not later than one year after the Secretary commences the pilot program under subsection (a), and annually thereafter for the next four years, the Secretary shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the pilot program.”
“(a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall commence a five-year pilot program under which-- (1) the Secretary shall treat pregnancy as a qualifying event under section 1099(b)(1)(B) of title 10, United States Code, for enrollment in TRICARE Select by an eligible beneficiary; and (2) a member of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Space Force on active duty may enroll in TRICARE Select under paragraph (1) for a period that ends not later than 180 days after the end of pregnancy. (b) Initial Briefing.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on the status of the pilot program under subsection (a).”
“EXPANSION OF PROHIBITION ON PAINFUL RESEARCH ON CERTAIN ANIMALS. Section 732 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Public Law 119-60; 10 U.S.C. 4001 note) is amended-- (1) in the section heading, by striking ``on domestic cats and dogs'' and inserting ``on certain animals''; and (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``a domestic cat (Felis catus) or a domestic dog (Canis familiaris)'' and inserting ``a domestic cat (Felis catus), a domestic dog (Canis familiaris), or a nonhuman member of the order Primates''. SEC. 758. PILOT PROGRAM TO TREAT PREGNANCY AS A QUALIFYING EVENT FOR ENROLLMENT IN TRICARE SELECT.”
“1959), is amended-- (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (I) through (M) as subparagraphs (J) through (N), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subparagraph (H) the following new subparagraph (I): ``(I) The number of suicides identified under subparagraph (A), as a whole and disaggregated by the military occupational specialty (or other similar classification, rating, or specialty code) of the member, excluding such specialities that the Secretary determines would not provide statistically valid data, with respect to which the member had a history of one of the following: ``(i) Concussive or subconcussive brain injuries, including traumatic brain injuries. ``(ii) Exposure to blast overpressure. ``(iii) Other head trauma, regardless of whether it required the treatment of a medical provider.''. SEC. 757.”
“``(2) Implementation.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall implement each requirement under paragraph (1).''. (b) Modification of Reports on Suicide.--Section 741(a)(2) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116-92; 133 Stat. 1467), as amended by section 736(2)(B) of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159; 138 Stat.”
“``(B) Establishment of annual neurocognitive assessments to monitor the cognitive function of such members to be conducted-- ``(i) at least every three years as part of the periodic health assessment of such members, and yearly for members determined to be at a high risk, as determined by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness; and ``(ii) as part of the post-deployment health assessment of such members. ``(C) Establishment of standards for recurrent and prolonged exposure. ``(D) Ensuring that all neurocognitive assessments of such members, including those required under subparagraphs (A) and (B), are maintained in the electronic medical record of such member. ``(E) Establishment and maintenance of blast overpressure exposure logs and traumatic brain injury logs for every member of the covered Armed Forces.”
“(a) Clarification of Strategy and Plan Requirements.-- Section 724 of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (Public Law 118-159; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsections (b) through (d) as subsections (c) through (e), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following new subsection (b): ``(b) Requirements; Implementation.-- [[Page H4806]] ``(1) Requirements.--The oversight strategy and action plan under subsection (a) shall include the following requirements: ``(A) Establishment of a baseline neurocognitive assessment to be conducted during the accession process of all members of the covered Armed Forces before the beginning of training.”
“1073 note) is amended-- (1) in subsection (d), by striking ``five years'' and inserting ``eight years''; and (2) in subsection (f)-- (A) in the heading, by inserting ``and Briefing'' after ``Reports''; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(3) Briefing.--Not later than June 30, 2027, the Secretary shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on the feasibility of the Department of Defense hiring doulas to provide services to members of the Armed Forces and covered beneficiaries at military medical treatment facilities that are located in the United States and such facilities that are located outside the United States.''. SEC. 756. MODIFICATION OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY OVERSIGHT STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.”
“(b) Annual Report.-- (1) Revival.--Subsection (c) of such section is amended by striking ``March 1, 1997'' and inserting ``March 1, 2027''. (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 1061(i) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328; 10 U.S.C. 111 note) is amended by striking paragraph (3). SEC. 755. EXTENSION OF EXTRAMEDICAL MATERNAL HEALTH PROVIDERS DEMONSTRATION PROJECT. Section 746 of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283; 10 U.S.C.”
“(a) Evaluation.--Subsection (a) of section 717 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996 (Public Law 104-106; 10 U.S.C. 1073 note) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (2) in paragraph (3)(B)(v), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: ``(4) examine trends with respect to-- ``(A) the demographics of members of the Armed Forces and covered beneficiaries; ``(B) the use of the TRICARE program by such members and beneficiaries; ``(C) the costs incurred by the Government relating to such use; and ``(D) the satisfaction of such members and beneficiaries with respect to the TRICARE program and other metrics relating to the performance of the military health system; ``(5) compare the trends examined under paragraph (4) with trends on similar matters experienced by civilian health care programs; ``(6) identify possible determining factors that could cause changes in the use of the TRICARE program or the costs incurred by the Government relating to such use; and ``(7) determine the impacts of cost-sharing amounts under the TRICARE program on members of the Armed Forces and covered beneficiaries.''.”
“(b) Provision of Information.--Subsection (c) of such section is amended by striking ``website'' and inserting ``website, as determined by the Secretary,''. (c) Preemption.--Such section is further amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new subsection: ``(f) Preemption.--An agreement entered into under this section shall be deemed to be a contract for which the Secretary of Defense has determined to preempt State or local laws pursuant to section 1103 of title 10, United States Code, as administered under section 199.17(a)(7)(i) of title 32, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.''. SEC. 754. MODIFICATIONS TO EVALUATION AND REPORT ON TRICARE PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS.”
“(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``a period of not more than three years, and may not be renewed'' and inserting ``a period of not less than three years''; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(3) Requirements.--In entering into an agreement under paragraph (1) with a company, the Secretary-- ``(A) may not select such company to provide coverage in a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States in which such company-- ``(i) is not licensed; and ``(ii) does not meet solvency requirements applicable to such State; ``(B) shall award the agreement based on the expertise of such company; ``(C) shall negotiate the terms and conditions of the fixed indemnity supplemental benefit plan provided under the agreement; ``(D) shall negotiate the cost of coverage with the company that will cover the participants who elect to enroll in such plan; ``(E) shall provide a method for verification of the eligibility of applicants and procedures for determination of eligibility; and ``(F) shall provide a method for payroll deduction of premiums.''.”
“(a) Agreement.--Subsection (b) of section 734 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Public Law 119-60; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (B) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); and (C) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new subparagraph: ``(C) provide no coordination with any other health benefit plan; and''.”
“(b) Current Pilot Program.--The contract awarded by the Secretary of Defense to carry out the pilot program titled ``Pilot Health Insurance Enhancement for Department of Defense Civilian Employees in Japan'' may continue without interruption, and with the necessary modifications, in implementing subsection (e) of section 1599b of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a). (c) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (f) of section 1599b of title 10, United States Code, as redesignated by subsection (a)(1), is amended by striking ``In this section'' inserting ``Except as provided by subsection (e), in this section''. SEC. 753. MODIFICATIONS TO PILOT PROGRAM TO ASSIST CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND DEPENDENTS WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTAL COVERAGE RELATING TO CANCER.”
“``(5) Not later than February 1, 2028, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on-- ``(A) the findings of each review under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5); and ``(B) a summary of each mitigation plan carried out by the Secretary under subparagraph (C) of such paragraph. ``(6) In this subsection: ``(A) The term `covered individual' means an individual who is-- ``(i) a civilian employee of the Department of Defense employed in a position at a location specified in paragraph (2) or an accompanying dependent of such an employee; and ``(ii) enrolled in a health care plan under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan. ``(B) The term `Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan' means the health insurance program under chapter 89 of title 5.''.”
“``(C) With respect to each location covered by a determination under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall carry out a mitigation plan under which the Secretary may-- ``(i) include such location in the enhanced medical coverage made available under paragraph (1), including with respect to assistance in finding health care providers, providing medical travel benefits, and medical evacuation coverage; ``(ii) designate civilian positions at such location as being unaccompanied; or ``(iii) take such other actions as the Secretary determines appropriate to increase access to health care for civilian employees of the Department employed in a position at such location and accompanying dependents of such employees.”
“``(B) If the Secretary determines in a review under subparagraph (A) that health care services specified in such subparagraph are not available, or do not meet the standards of care for such services provided in the United States, with respect to a specific State, territory or possession of the United States, or foreign country, the Secretary shall-- ``(i) carry out a mitigation plan under subparagraph (C); and ``(ii) notify each civilian employee of the Department employed in a position at such location, and any applicant for such a position, of the determination and mitigation plan.”
“Each review shall assess the availability of the following: ``(i) Ambulatory patient services, including outpatient surgery. ``(ii) Emergency services. ``(iii) Inpatient care, including trauma care and intensive care. ``(iv) Maternity and newborn care, including neonatal intensive care. ``(v) Mental health and substance use disorder services. ``(vi) Rehabilitative and habilitative services. ``(vii) Laboratory services. ``(viii) Preventive services. ``(ix) Pediatric services.”
“``(B) With respect to covered individuals living in Guam, the Secretary shall ensure that the enhanced medical coverage under subsection (a) includes the following: ``(i) Assistance in finding health care providers with the capacity to meet the health care needs of the individuals. ``(ii) Medical evacuation coverage if needed health care services are not available on Guam or are only available in a facility that is not accredited. ``(iii) Any other supplemental services the Secretary determines appropriate. ``(4)(A) On an annual basis, the Secretary shall conduct a review of the availability of health care services for civilian employees of the Department of Defense employed in a position outside the continental United States and accompanying dependents of such employees.”
“[[Page H4805]] ``(3)(A) With respect to covered individuals living in Japan, the Secretary shall ensure that the enhanced medical coverage under subsection (a) includes the following: ``(i) Assistance in finding health care providers with the capacity to meet the health care needs of the individuals. ``(ii) Language translation services to assist in accessing health care. ``(iii) Assistance in making prepayments for health care services if such prepayments are required by the health care provider. ``(iv) Any other supplemental services the Secretary determines appropriate.”
“(a) Enhanced Medical Coverage.--Section 1599b of title 10, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection: ``(e) Enhanced Medical Coverage.--(1) Not later than July 1, 2027, the Secretary of Defense shall seek to enter into a contract to provide each covered individual in a location specified in paragraph (2) with enhanced medical coverage for services that are not covered by the health care plan for which the covered individual is enrolled under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan. ``(2) The locations specified in this paragraph are the following: ``(A) Japan. ``(B) Guam. ``(C) Any location the Secretary determines appropriate under a mitigation plan carried out under paragraph (5)(C).”
“(b) Deadline for Initial Briefing.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs shall submit the first briefing required under section 1073c(k) of title 10, United States Code, as amended by subsection (a). SEC. 752. ENHANCED MEDICAL COVERAGE FOR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND DEPENDENTS IN CERTAIN LOCATIONS.”
“``(G) With respect to personnel staffing at the military medical treatment facility, the following: ``(i) The number of unfilled billets, disaggregated by type of profession, including clinicians, nurses, hospital administrators, and administrative personnel. ``(ii) The average amount of time for an unfilled billet to be filled, disaggregated in accordance with clause (i). ``(H) A description of any deficiencies or shortages with respect to the budget, medical supplies and equipment, or personnel necessary to meet metrics relating to access to healthcare services provided at the military medical treatment facility and applicable standards of care relating to such services. ``(I) A plan to remedy any such deficiencies.''.”
“``(D) The number of members of the armed forces and covered beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE Prime, disaggregated by category of enrollee, that received health care services at the military medical treatment facility during such period. ``(E) The number of members of the armed forces and covered beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE Prime, disaggregated by category of enrollee, that received referrals under the TRICARE program from providers at the military medical treatment facility to specialty care providers outside the military medical treatment facility during such period. ``(F) The composition of the workforce at the military medical treatment facility, including the number of members of the armed forces, civilian employees of the Department of Defense, and contractors of the Department.”
“``(2) Each briefing under paragraph (1) shall include, for each military medical treatment facility and with respect to the 90-day period preceding the date of the provision of the briefing, the following information: ``(A) Of the members of the armed forces and covered beneficiaries who received health care services at the military medical treatment facility during such period, the percentage for whom access standards were met. ``(B) An assessment of the clinical readiness of the members of the armed forces staffing the military medical treatment facility. ``(C) An assessment of the unit readiness of members of the armed forces who receive health care services at the military medical treatment facility.”
“Subtitle C--Studies, Reports, and Other Matters SEC. 751. QUARTERLY BRIEFING ON MILITARY TREATMENT FACILITIES. (a) In General.--Section 1073c of title 10, United States Code, as amended by section 721, is further amended-- (1) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and (2) by inserting after subsection (j) the following new subsection: ``(k) Quarterly Briefing on Military Medical Treatment Facilities.--(1) Not less frequently than once every 90 days, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs shall provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a briefing on military medical treatment facilities.”
“(3) Any other test or evaluation as determined appropriate by the Secretary. (f) Baseline.--The Secretary shall use health care assessments provided to a member of the Army under the pilot program under subsection (a) as a baseline for the purposes of ongoing regular monitoring of the member. (g) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program for a two-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, but the Secretary may extend such period. (h) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the pilot program under subsection (a) concludes, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the pilot program, including findings relating to-- (1) health care outcomes; (2) satisfaction of members of the Army; and (3) any recommendations for broader implementation.”
“(b) Locations.--The Secretary shall-- (1) carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) at Fort Hood, Texas; and (2) select at least one more installation of the Army at which to carry out the pilot program. (c) Participant Selection.--The Secretary shall select not fewer than 100 members of the Army to participate in the pilot program under subsection (a). Such members may not be in a high-risk population, as determined by the Secretary. (e) Health Care Assessments.--In carrying out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide members of the Army participating in the pilot program with the following instead of the periodic health assessment: (1) An in-person physical examination. (2) Blood work that includes comprehensive metabolic panel and complete blood count conducted by qualified medical personnel.”
“(2) The term ``remote military medical treatment facility'' means a military medical treatment facility (as defined in section 1073c of title 10, United States Code) for which medical personnel assigned to the facility may reside at a location that is either-- (A) not more than 50 miles from the military medical facility; or (B) a distance that on average takes at least one hour to travel by car. SEC. 744. ESTABLISHMENT OF PILOT PROGRAM ON USE OF HEALTH CARE ASSESSMENTS OTHER THAN PERIODIC HEALTH ASSESSMENTS. (a) Requirement.--The Secretary of the Army shall carry out a pilot program to evaluate the effectiveness of different health care assessment methods for members of the Army serving on active duty, as compared to the periodic health assessment of the Army.”
“(f) Reports.--Not later than 18 months after the date on which each Secretary of a military department commences the pilot program under subsection (a), and annually thereafter during the life of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report on the pilot program, including with respect to the feasibility of carrying out the pilot program on a long-term basis. (g) Definitions.--In this section: (1) The term ``primary care management position'' means a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, registered nurse, mental health nurse practitioner, licensed practical nurse, or medical assistant.”
“(2) Memorandum of understanding.--The Director and each Secretary of a military department shall enter into a memorandum of understanding to carry out reimbursements under paragraph (1). Such memorandum shall specify-- (A) the scope of services provided by the individuals appointed to a primary care management position; (B) the allowable cost categories; (C) billing and accounting procedures; (D) quality and performance metrics; and (E) dispute resolution procedures.”
“(e) Reimbursement.-- (1) Requirement.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Director of the Defense Health Agency shall reimburse the relevant Secretary of a military department for the actual, reasonable, and allocable cost of the salary and expenses (including with respect to travel, training, equipment, and facility support) of any individual appointed to a primary care management position under the pilot program under subsection (a) during the period in which the employee is employed in the position for which the employee was so appointed (regardless of whether such period exceeds the duration of the pilot program). The Director and the Secretary shall ensure that such costs are tracked using a detailed work breakdown structure to ensure granular tracking and financial accountability.”
“(2) Notification.--Each Secretary of a military department shall notify the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate of each remote military medical treatment facility selected under paragraph (1).”
“(c) Personnel Authorities.--In carrying out subsection (a), for the purposes of hiring qualified candidates for the pilot program, each Secretary of a military department may use the authorities provided under-- (1) section 1599c of title 10, United States Code (relating to appointment and rates of pay); (2) section 5379 of title 5, United States Code (relating to student loan repayments); and (3) sections 5753 and 5754 of such title 5 (relating to recruitment and relocation bonuses and retention bonuses, respectively). (d) Remote Military Medical Treatment Facilities.-- (1) Selection.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, each Secretary of a military department shall select not fewer than five remote military medical treatment facilities at which to carry out the pilot program under subsection (a).”
“(a) Pilot Program.--Beginning not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, each Secretary of a military department shall carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary may-- (1) appoint individuals to primary care management positions at a remote military medical treatment facility selected under subsection (d); and (2) provide incentives for highly qualified applicants to such positions. (b) Duration.--Each Secretary of a military department shall carry out the pilot program under subsection (a) for a period not to exceed five years.”
“(3) A description of any follow-up actions or planned follow-up actions by the Department of Defense in response to such complaints or issues. (e) Definitions.--In this section: (1) The term ``covered Armed Force'' means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force. (2) The term ``covered beneficiary'' means a covered beneficiary, as defined in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code, who is a beneficiary [[Page H4804]] by reason of the service by an individual in a covered Armed Force. (3) The term ``TRICARE program'' has the meaning given that term in section 1072 of title 10, United States Code. SEC. 743. PILOT PROGRAM ON FILLING PRIMARY CARE MANAGEMENT POSITIONS AT REMOTE MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITIES.”
“(c) Application to Providers.--The guidance required under subsection (a) shall apply to all agreements with authorized providers under the TRICARE program entered into on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d) Annual Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report that includes the following: (1) The number of complaints filed or issues reported that are covered by subsection (a), disaggregated by category of complaint or issue, beneficiary complaint or issue, or provider complaint or issue. (2) A description of steps that were taken to respond to such complaints or issues.”
“(b) Elements of Guidance.--The guidance required under subsection (a) shall set forth-- (1) the details and effective date of a reporting tool that follows a simple flow chart for filing complaints and reporting issues; and (2) the timelines and protocols that the Department of Defense will use to monitor and address complaints filed and issues reported that are appropriate to the level of acuity or urgency of such complaint or issue, including responses to the covered beneficiary or provider that include-- (A) steps that have been taken by the Department of Defense to respond to the complaint or issue; (B) any responses received by relevant parties in investigating the complaint or issue; and (C) follow-up actions or planned follow-up actions by the Department of Defense in response to the complaint or issue.”
“(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall issue guidance to set forth the process and timeline for covered beneficiaries, direct care providers, and authorized providers under the TRICARE program to file complaints and report issues that have not been resolved through existing channels, including complaints regarding coverage, access to care, denials, incorrect provider directory listings, network adequacy, access to specialized care within a reasonable distance from their homes, overdue or consistently inaccurate payments, and other related issues.”
“(d) Definitions.--In this section: (1) The term ``military medical treatment facility'' has the meaning given that term in section 1073c of title 10, United States Code. (2) The term ``sexual assault nurse examiner'' means a registered nurse who has received specialized training and certification in the forensic examination of sexual assault survivors and the collection of forensic evidence, in accordance with standards established by the International Association of Forensic Nurses or an equivalent certifying body. SEC. 742. IMPROVEMENT OF PROCESS FOR FILING OF COMPLAINTS AND REPORTING OF ISSUES UNDER TRICARE PROGRAM.”
“(c) Information.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall-- (1) issue updated policy guidance of the Department implementing the requirements of subsections (a) and (b), including standard language for contracts or other agreements under subsection (b); and (2) submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report detailing-- (A) the status of sexual assault nurse examiner staffing at each military medical treatment facility; (B) any contracts or other agreements entered into under subsection (b), including the names and locations of providers; (C) the average response times for sexual assault nurse examiners and any gaps in coverage experienced during the one-year period preceding the report; and (D) plans to address any identified shortfalls in service availability.”
“(3) The qualified sexual assault nurse examiners meet or exceed all credentialing, training, and certification standards that the Secretary would otherwise apply to a sexual assault nurse examiner employed directly by the Department of Defense.”
“(b) Use of Contracts to Meet Requirement.--The Secretary may satisfy the requirement in subsection (a) with respect to a military medical treatment facility if the Secretary enters into a contract or other agreement with a private provider under which the provider ensures the continuous availability of a qualified sexual assault nurse examiner to provide services at that facility. In entering into such a contract or other agreement, the Secretary shall ensure the following: (1) A qualified sexual assault nurse examiner is on call 24 hours per day and will arrive at the facility not later than two hours after being called. (2) The qualified sexual assault nurse examiners are located-- (A) not more than 25 miles by road from the facility; or (B) within a 30-minute emergency response travel time under normal conditions from the facility.”