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the provision of such medical services and assistance 
under such sections.’’. 
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 
55 of such title is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 1074k the following new item: 
‘‘1074l. Modification of medical care for War on Terror Wounded Heroes; care-
giver support program for family members of War on Terror 
Wounded Heroes.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall take effect on October 1, 2006, and apply 
to care furnished on or after such date. 
SEC. 4. AUTHORITY TO TREAT CERTAIN WAR ON TERROR 
WOUNDED HEROES AT NON-DEPARTMENT FA-
CILITIES. 
(a) CARE AT NON-DEPARTMENT FACILITIES.—Sec-
tion 1703 of title 38, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and 
(d) as subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively; 
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing new subsection (b): 
‘‘(b)(1) In the case of a War on Terror Wounded 
Hero (as defined in subsection (d) of section 1720F of 
this title) who requires hospital care or medical services 
as authorized under section 1710 of this title, the Sec-
retary may contract with non-Department facilities in 
order to furnish the care or services described in sub-
section (a) if the Secretary determines that— 
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‘‘(A) the closest Department facility is more 
than a 60-minute drive from the residence of the 
veteran; 
‘‘(B) the severity of the condition of the veteran 
for which care or services is required is such that 
transport of the veteran to the closest Department 
facility in lieu of a more proximate non-Department 
facility would have an adverse effect on the health 
or well-being of the veteran; or 
‘‘(C) reasonably proximate Department facilities 
to the veteran do not furnish the specialized care or 
services required to treat the condition of the vet-
eran. 
‘‘(2) Care or services furnished under contract under 
paragraph (1) to a veteran shall be furnished at no greater 
cost or charge to the veteran than would be payable by 
the veteran if such care or services were furnished in a 
Department facility.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c), as so redesignated in paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘subsection (a) of this section’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘subsection (a) or (b)’’. 
(b) CONFORMING
REQUIREMENT
UNDER
TITLE 
10.—Paragraph (2) of subsection (c) of section 1074 of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended— 
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(1) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as sub-
paragraph (D); and 
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the fol-
lowing new subparagraph (C): 
‘‘(C)(i) In the case of a member of the armed forces 
described in section 1074l of this title who requires med-
ical care, the Secretary may provide for such care to be 
furnished in a private facility or health care provider if 
the Secretary determines that— 
‘‘(I) the closest military medical treatment facil-
ity or health care provider is more than a 60-minute 
drive from the residence of the veteran; 
‘‘(II) the severity of the condition of the mem-
ber for which medical care is required is such that 
transport of the member to the closest military med-
ical treatment facility or health care provider in lieu 
of a more proximate private facility or health care 
provider would have an adverse effect on the health 
or well-being of the member; or 
‘‘(III) reasonably proximate military medical 
treatment facilities or health care providers to the 
member do not furnish the specialized medical care 
required to treat the condition of the member. 
‘‘(ii) Medical care furnished under clause (i) to a 
member of the uniformed services shall be furnished at 
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