I

104TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. R. 2442

To require the Secretary of Defense to conduct a demonstration project

to provide covered beneficiaries under the military health care system

with the option to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits

program.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 29, 1995

Mr. PASTOR introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on National Security, and in addition to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, for a period to be subsequently determined

by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall

within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Defense to conduct a demonstration project to provide covered beneficiaries under the

military health care system with the option to enroll

in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
2

•HR 2442 IH

1 SECTION 1. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR HEALTH CARE

2 ACCESS THROUGH FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

3 HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM.

4 (a) DEMONSTRATION PROJECT REQUIRED.—The

5 Secretary of Defense shall conduct a demonstration

6 project in at least one region of the TRICARE program

7 to provide covered beneficiaries described in subsection (b)

8 with the option to receive health care prescribed by section

9 1077 of title 10, United States Code, through the Federal

10 Employees Health Benefits program under chapter 89 of

11 title 5, United States Code, in addition to the other health

12 care options available to the covered beneficiaries. The

13 Secretary shall carry out the demonstration project during

14 the two-year period beginning on the date covered bene15 ficiaries first enroll under the project.

16 (b) PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR PARTICIPATION.—Eligi17 bility to participate in the demonstration project is limited

18 to covered beneficiaries under chapter 55 of title 10,

19 United States Code, who—

20 (1) reside in the TRICARE region in which the

21 demonstration project is conducted, but outside of

22 the enrollment catchment area used for TRICARE

23 Prime; or

24 (2) reside in the TRICARE region in which the

25 demonstration project is conducted and are entitled

26 to hospital insurance benefits under part A of title
3

•HR 2442 IH

1 XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395c

2 et seq.).

3 (c) SPECIAL RULE FOR MEDICARE PARTICIPANTS.—

4 The payment limitations contained in paragraph (3) of

5 section 1086(d) of title 10, United States Code, shall

6 apply in the case of covered beneficiaries described in sub7 section (b)(2) who participate in the demonstration

8 project.

9 (d) DEFINITION OF TRICARE.—For purposes of

10 this section, the term ‘‘TRICARE’’ means the managed

11 health care program that is established by the Secretary

12 of Defense under the authority of chapter 55 of title 10,

13 United States Code, principally section 1097 of such title,

14 and includes the competitive selection of contractors to fi15 nancially underwrite the delivery of health care services

16 under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the

17 Uniformed Services.

18 (e) REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.—Not later

19 than six months after the date of the enactment of this

20 Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit a report to

21 Congress containing the plan prepared by the Secretary

22 to implement the demonstration project.

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