117 STAT. 1536
PUBLIC LAW 108–136—NOV. 24, 2003
authorized by sections 2912, 2913, and 2914 of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101–510; 10 U.S.C. 2687 note), as added by title XXX of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (Public Law 107–107; 155 Stat. 1342); or ‘‘(2) outside the United States that are selected for closure or realignment as a result of force posture changes. ‘‘(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The members of the working group shall include, at a minimum, the following: ‘‘(1) The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, or a designee of the Assistant Secretary. ‘‘(2) The Surgeon General of the Army, or a designee of that Surgeon General. ‘‘(3) The Surgeon General of the Navy, or a designee of that Surgeon General. ‘‘(4) The Surgeon General of the Air Force, or a designee of that Surgeon General. ‘‘(5) At least one independent member (appointed by the Secretary of Defense) from each TRICARE region, but not to exceed a total of 12 members appointed under this paragraph, whose experience in matters within the responsibility of the working group qualify that person to represent persons authorized health care under chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code. ‘‘(c) DUTIES.—(1) In developing the recommendations for the 2005 round of realignments and closures required by sections 2913 and 2914 of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990, the Secretary of Defense shall consult with the working group. ‘‘(2) The working group shall be available to provide assistance to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. ‘‘(3) In the case of each military installation referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) whose closure or realignment will affect the accessibility to health care services for persons entitled to such services under chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, the working group shall provide to the Secretary of Defense a plan for the provision of the health care services to such persons. ‘‘(d) SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out its duties under subsection (c), the working group— ‘‘(1) shall conduct meetings with persons entitled to health care services under chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, or representatives of such persons; ‘‘(2) may use reliable sampling techniques; ‘‘(3) may visit the areas where closures or realignments of military installations will adversely affect the accessibility of health care for such persons and may conduct public meetings; and ‘‘(4) shall ensure that members of the uniformed services on active duty, members and former members of the uniformed services entitled to retired or retainer pay, and dependents and survivors of such members and retired personnel are afforded the opportunity to express their views.’’. (b) TERMINATION.—Section 722 of such Act is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ‘‘(f) TERMINATION.—The working group established pursuant to subsection (a) shall terminate on December 31, 2006.’’.
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