123STA T . 23 85PUBLIC LA W 111 – 8 4—O CT. 28 , 2 0 0 9Subti t leC—O t h e rMa tter sSEC.721 .S TUDYAN D PL ANT OIM P R O V E MILITARY H EALTH CARE. (a)STUDYAN D REPOR TRE Q U I RED .—Notl at er t h a n one y ear a f ter the d ate of the ena c t m ent of th isA ct , the Secretary of D efense shall s ub mit to the con g ressional defense committees a re p ort on the health care needs of dependents (as defined in section 1072 (2) of title 10, U nited States C ode). T he report shall include, at a minimum, the follo w ing
(1) W ith respect to both the direct care system and the purchased care system, an analysis of the type of health care facility in which dependents see k care. (2) The 10 most common medical conditions for which dependents seek care. ( 3 )Thea v ailability of and access to health care providers to treat the conditions identified under paragraph (2), both in the direct care system and the purchased care system. ( 4 ) Any shortfalls in the ability of dependents to obtain re q uired health care services. ( 5 ) Recommendations on how to improve access to care for dependents. ( 6 ) With respect to dependents accompanying a member stationed at a military installation outside of the United States, the need for and availability of mental health care services. (b) E N H AN C ED M I L ITARY H EALTH SY S TE M AND I MPRO V ED TRICARE.— (1) IN G ENERAL.—The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the other administering Secretaries, shall undertake actions to enhance the capability of the military health system and improve the TRICARE program. (2) ELEMENTS.—In undertaking actions to enhance the capability of the military health system and improve the TRICARE program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the following actions: (A) Actions to guarantee the availability of care within established access standards for eligible beneficiaries, based on the results of the study required by subsection (a). ( B ) Actions to e x pand and enhance sharing of health care resources among F ederal health care programs, including designated providers (as that term is defined in section 721(5) of the National Defense Authori z ation Act for Fiscal Y ear 1 9 97( P ublic L aw 104 - 201
110 Stat. 2593; 10 U.S.C. 1073 note)). (C) Actions using medical technology to speed and sim- plify referrals for specialty care. (D) Actions to improve regional or national staffing capabilities in order to enhance support provided to mili- tary medical treatment facilities facing staff shortages. (E) Actions to improve health care access for members of the reserve components and their families, including such access with respect to mental health care and consid- eration of access issues for members and their families located in rural areas. (F) Actions to ensure consistency throughout the TRICARE program to comply with access standards, which 10USC 10 7 1 note.
