‘‘§ 1074l. Management of medical and dental care: 
members assigned to receive care in an 
outpatient status 
‘‘(a) MEDICAL CARE CASE MANAGERS.—(1) A mem-
ber in an outpatient status at a military medical treatment 
facility shall be assigned a medical care case manager. 
‘‘(2)(A) The duties of the medical care case manager 
shall include the following with respect to the member (or 
the member’s immediate family if the member is incapable 
of making judgments about personal medical care): 
‘‘(i) To assist in understanding the member’s 
medical status. 
‘‘(ii) To assist in receiving prescribed medical 
care. 
‘‘(iii) To conduct a review, at least once a week, 
of the member’s medical status. 
‘‘(B) The weekly medical status review described in 
subparagraph (A)(iii) shall be conducted in person with 
the member. If such a review is not practicable, the med-
ical care case manager shall provide a written statement 
to the case manager’s supervisor indicating why an in-per-
son medical status review was not possible. 
‘‘(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
each medical care case manager shall be assigned to man-
age not more than 17 members in an outpatient status.
‘‘(B) The Secretary concerned may waive for up to 
120 days the requirement of subparagraph (A) if required 
due to unforeseen circumstances. 
‘‘(4)(A) The medical care case manager office at each 
facility shall be headed by a commissioned officer of appro-
priate rank and appropriate military occupation specialty, 
designator, or specialty code. 
‘‘(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), an appro-
priate military occupation specialty, designator, or spe-
cialty code includes membership in the Army Medical 
Corps, Army Medical Service Corps, Army Nurse Corps, 
Navy Medical Corps, Navy Medical Service Corps, Navy 
Nurse Corps, Air Force Medical Service, or other corps 
comprised of health care professionals at the discretion of 
the Secretary of Defense. 
‘‘(5) The Secretary of Defense shall establish a stand-
ard training program and curriculum for medical care case 
managers. Successful completion of the training program 
is required before a person may assume the duties of a 
medical care case manager. 
‘‘(6) The Secretary concerned shall ensure that med-
ical care case managers have the resources necessary to 
ensure that they expeditiously carry out the responsibil-
ities and duties of their position.
‘‘(b) SERVICE MEMBER ADVOCATE.—(1) A member 
in an outpatient status shall be assigned a service member 
advocate. 
‘‘(2) The duties of the service member advocate shall 
include—
‘‘(A) communicating with the member and with 
the member’s family or other individuals designated 
by the member; 
‘‘(B) assisting with oversight of the member’s 
welfare and quality of life; and 
‘‘(C) assisting the member in resolving prob-
lems involving financial, administrative, personnel, 
transitional, and other matters. 
‘‘(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
each service member advocate shall be assigned to not 
more than 30 members in an outpatient status. 
‘‘(B) The Secretary concerned may waive for up to 
120 days the requirement of subparagraph (A) if required 
due to unforeseen circumstances. 
‘‘(4) The service member advocate office at each facil-
ity shall be headed by a commissioned officer of appro-
priate rank and appropriate military occupation specialty, 
designator, or specialty code in order to handle service-
specific personnel and financial issues.
‘‘(5) The Secretary of Defense shall establish a stand-
ard training program and curriculum for service member 
advocates. Successful completion of the training program 
is required before a person may assume the duties of a 
service member advocate. 
‘‘(6) A service member advocate shall continue to per-
form the duties described in paragraph (2) with respect 
to a member until the member is returned to duty or sepa-
rated or retired from the armed forces. 
‘‘(7) The Secretary concerned shall ensure that serv-
ice member advocates have the resources necessary to en-
sure that they expeditiously carry out the responsibilities 
and duties of their position. 
‘‘(c) OUTREACH.—The Secretary of Defense shall 
make available to each member in an outpatient status 
at a military medical treatment facility, and to the family 
members of all such members, information on the avail-
ability of services provided by the medical care case man-
agers and service member advocates, including informa-
tion on how to contact such managers and advocates and 
how to use their services. 
‘‘(d) SEMIANNUAL SURVEYS BY SECRETARIES CON-
CERNED.—The Secretary concerned shall conduct a semi-
annual survey of members in an outpatient status at in-
stallations under the Secretary’s supervision. The survey
shall include, at a minimum, the members’ assessment of 
the quality of medical care at the facility, the timeliness 
of medical care at the facility, the adequacy of living facili-
ties and other quality of life programs, the adequacy of 
case management support, and the fairness and timeliness 
of the physical disability evaluation system. The survey 
shall be conducted in coordination with installation med-
ical commanders and authorities, and shall be coordinated 
with such commanders and authorities before submission 
to the Secretary. 
‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘member in an outpatient status’ 
means a member of the armed forces assigned to a 
military medical treatment facility as an outpatient 
or to a unit established for the purpose of providing 
command and control of members receiving medical 
care as outpatients. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘disability evaluation system’ 
means the Department of Defense system or process 
for evaluating the nature of and extent of disabilities 
affecting members of the armed forces (other than 
the Coast Guard) and comprised of medical evalua-
tion boards, physical evaluation boards, counseling 
of members, and final disposition by appropriate 
personnel authorities, as operated by the Secretaries
of the military departments, and, in the case of the 
Coast Guard, a similar system or process operated 
by the Secretary of Homeland Security.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 
by adding at the end the following new item:
‘‘1074l. Management of medical and dental care: members assigned to receive 
care in an outpatient status.’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Section 1074l of title 10, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take 
effect 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
SEC. 102. ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEPARTMENT OF DE-
FENSE-WIDE OMBUDSMAN OFFICE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall establish a Department of Defense-wide Ombudsman 
Office (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Ombudsman Of-
fice’’) within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. 
(b) FUNCTIONS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The functions of the Om-
budsman Office are to provide policy guidance to, 
and oversight of, the ombudsman offices in the mili-
tary departments. 
(2) POLICY GUIDANCE.—The Ombudsman Of-
fice shall develop policy guidance with respect to the 
following:
(A) Providing assistance to and answering 
questions from recovering service members and 
their families regarding—
(i) administrative processes, financial 
matters, and non-military related services 
available to the members and their families 
throughout the member’s evaluation, treat-
ment, and recovery; 
(ii) transfer to the care of the Vet-
erans Administration; and 
(iii) support services available upon 
the member’s return home. 
(B) Accountability standards, including—
(i) creating and maintaining case files 
for individual specific questions received, 
and initiating inquiries and tracking re-
sponses for all such questions; 
(ii) setting standards for timeliness of 
responses; and 
(iii) setting standards for account-
ability to recovering service members and 
their families, including requirements for 
daily updates to the members and their 
families about steps being taken to allevi-
ate problems and concerns until problems 
are addressed. 
(c) STATUS REPORTS.—The ombudsman office in 
each military department shall submit status reports of 
actions taken to address individual concerns to the Om-
budsman Office, at such times as the Ombudsman Office 
considers appropriate. 
(d) RESPONSES FROM OTHER OFFICES.—The Sec-
retary of Defense shall ensure that all other offices within 
the Department of Defense and the military departments 
respond in a timely manner to resolve questions and re-
quests from the Ombudsman Office on behalf of recov-
ering service members and their families, including offices 
responsible for medical matters (including medical hold-
over processes), financial and accounting matters, legal 
matters, human resources matters, reserve component 
matters, installation and management matters, and phys-
ical disability matters. 
(e) STAFF OF THE OFFICE.—The staff of the Om-
budsman Office shall include representatives from each 
military department, including persons with experience in 
medical holdover processes and other medical matters.
SEC. 103. ESTABLISHMENT OF TOLL-FREE HOT LINE FOR 
REPORTING DEFICIENCIES IN MEDICAL-RE-
LATED SUPPORT FACILITIES AND EXPEDITED 
RESPONSE TO REPORTS OF DEFICIENCIES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Chapter 80 of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section: 
‘‘§ 1567. Identification and investigation of defi-
ciencies in adequacy, quality, and state of 
repair of medical-related support facili-
ties 
‘‘(a) TOLL-FREE HOT LINE.—The Secretary of De-
fense shall establish and maintain a toll-free telephone 
number (commonly referred to as a ‘hot line’) at which 
personnel are accessible at all times to collect, maintain, 
and update information regarding possible deficiencies in 
the adequacy, quality, and state of repair of medical-re-
lated support facilities. The Secretary shall widely dissemi-
nate information regarding the existence and availability 
of the toll-free telephone number to members of the armed 
forces and their dependents. 
‘‘(b) CONFIDENTIALITY.—(1) Individuals who seek to 
provide information through use of the toll-free telephone 
number under subsection (a) shall be notified, immediately 
before they provide such information, of their option to
elect, at their discretion, to have their identity remain con-
fidential. 
‘‘(2) In the case of information provided through use 
of the toll-free telephone number by an individual who 
elects to maintain the confidentiality of his or her identity, 
any individual who, by necessity, has had access to such 
information for purposes of conducting the investigation 
or executing the response plan required by subsection (c) 
may not disclose the identity of the individual who pro-
vided the information. 
‘‘(c) INVESTIGATION
AND RESPONSE PLAN.—Not 
later than 96 hours after a report of deficiencies in the 
adequacy, quality, or state of repair of a medical-related 
support facility is received by way of the toll-free telephone 
number or other source, the Secretary of Defense shall 
ensure that—
‘‘(1) the deficiencies referred to in the report 
are investigated; and 
‘‘(2) if substantiated, a plan of action for reme-
diation of the deficiencies is developed and imple-
mented. 
‘‘(d) RELOCATION.—If the Secretary of Defense de-
termines, on the basis of the investigation conducted in 
response to a report of deficiencies at a medical-related 
support facility, that conditions at the facility violate
health and safety standards, the Secretary shall relocate 
the occupants of the facility while the violations are cor-
rected. 
‘‘(e) MEDICAL-RELATED SUPPORT FACILITY DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘medical-related support 
facility’ means any facility of the Department of Defense 
that provides support to any of the following: 
‘‘(1) Members of the armed forces admitted for 
treatment to a military medical treatment facility. 
‘‘(2) Members of the armed forces assigned to 
a military medical treatment facility as an out-
patient. 
‘‘(3) Family members accompanying any mem-
ber described in paragraph (1) or (2) as a nonmed-
ical attendant.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item:
‘‘1567. Identification and investigation of deficiencies in adequacy, quality, and 
state of repair of medical-related support facilities.’’.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The toll-free telephone num-
ber required to be established by section 1567 of title 10, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall be 
fully operational not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 104. NOTIFICATION TO CONGRESS OF HOSPITALIZA-
TION OF COMBAT WOUNDED SERVICE MEM-
BERS. 
(a) NOTIFICATION REQUIRED.—Chapter 55 of title 
10, United States Code, is further amended by inserting 
after section 1074l the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1074m. Notification to Congress of hospitalization 
of combat wounded members 
‘‘(a) NOTIFICATION REQUIRED.—The Secretary con-
cerned shall provide notification of the hospitalization of 
any member of the armed forces evacuated from a theater 
of combat to the appropriate Members of Congress. 
‘‘(b) APPROPRIATE MEMBERS.—In this section, the 
term ‘appropriate Members of Congress’, with respect to 
the member of the armed forces about whom notification 
is being made, means the Senators and the Members of 
the House of Representatives representing the States or 
districts, respectively, that include the member’s home of 
record and, if different, the residence of the next of kin, 
or a different location as provided by the member. 
‘‘(c) CONSENT OF MEMBER REQUIRED.—The notifi-
cation under subsection (a) may be provided only with the 
consent of the member of the armed forces about whom 
notification is to be made. In the case of a member who 
is unable to provide consent, information and consent may 
be provided by next of kin.’’.
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item:
‘‘1074m. Notification to Congress of hospitalization of combat wounded mem-
bers.’’.
SEC. 105. INDEPENDENT MEDICAL ADVOCATE FOR MEM-
BERS 
BEFORE 
MEDICAL 
EVALUATION 
BOARDS. 
(a) ASSIGNMENT OF INDEPENDENT MEDICAL ADVO-
CATE.—Section 1222 of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(d) INDEPENDENT MEDICAL ADVOCATE FOR MEM-
BERS BEFORE MEDICAL EVALUATION BOARDS.—(1) The 
Secretary of each military department shall ensure, in the 
case of any member of the armed forces being considered 
by a medical evaluation board under that Secretary’s su-
pervision, that the member has access to a physician or 
other appropriate health care professional who is inde-
pendent of the medical evaluation board. 
‘‘(2) The physician or other health care professional 
assigned to a member shall—
‘‘(A) serve as an advocate for the best interests 
of the member; and 
‘‘(B) provide the member with advice and coun-
sel regarding the medical condition of the member
and the findings and recommendations of the med-
ical evaluation board.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—
(1) SECTION HEADING.—The heading of such 
section is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 1222. Physical evaluation boards and medical eval-
uation boards’’. 
(2) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 61 of such title is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 
1222 and inserting the following new item:
‘‘1222. Physical evaluation boards and medical evaluation boards.’’.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsection (d) of section 
1222 of title 10, United States Code, as added by sub-
section (a), shall apply with respect to medical evaluation 
boards convened after the end of the 180-day period begin-
ning on the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 106. TRAINING AND WORKLOAD FOR PHYSICAL EVAL-
UATION BOARD LIAISON OFFICERS. 
(a) REQUIREMENTS.—Section 1222(b) of title 10, 
United States Code, is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1)—
(A) by striking ‘‘establishing—’’ and all 
that follows through ‘‘a requirement’’ and in-
serting ‘‘establishing a requirement’’; and
(B) by striking ‘‘that Secretary; and’’ and 
all that follows through the end of subpara-
graph (B) and inserting ‘‘that Secretary. A 
physical evaluation board liaison officer may 
not be assigned more than 20 members at any 
one time, except that the Secretary concerned 
may authorize the assignment of additional 
members, for not more than 120 days, if re-
quired due to unforeseen circumstances.’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting after ‘‘(2)’’ 
the following new sentences: ‘‘The Secretary of De-
fense shall establish a standardized training program 
and curriculum for physical evaluation board liaison 
officers. Successful completion of the training pro-
gram is required before a person may assume the 
duties of a physical evaluation board liaison offi-
cer.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(3) In this subsection, the term ‘physical evaluation 
board liaison officer’ includes any person designated as, 
or assigned the duties of, an assistant to a physical evalua-
tion board liaison officer.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The limitation on the max-
imum number of members of the Armed Forces who may
be assigned to a physical evaluation board liaison officer 
shall take effect 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. The training program and curriculum for 
physical evaluation board liaison officers shall be imple-
mented not later than 180 days after the date of the en-
actment of this Act. 
SEC. 107. STANDARDIZED TRAINING PROGRAM AND CUR-
RICULUM FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
DISABILITY EVALUATION SYSTEM. 
(a) TRAINING PROGRAM REQUIRED.—Section 1216 
of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(e)(1) The Secretary of Defense shall establish a 
standardized training program and curriculum for persons 
described in paragraph (2) who are involved in the dis-
ability evaluation system. The training under the program 
shall be provided as soon as practicable in coordination 
with other training associated with the responsibilities of 
the person. 
‘‘(2) Persons covered by paragraph (1) include—
‘‘(A) Commanders. 
‘‘(B) Enlisted members who perform super-
visory functions. 
‘‘(C) Health care professionals.
‘‘(D) Others persons with administrative, pro-
fessional, or technical responsibilities in the dis-
ability evaluation system. 
‘‘(3) In this subsection, the term ‘disability evaluation 
system’ means the Department of Defense system or proc-
ess for evaluating the nature of and extent of disabilities 
affecting members of the armed forces (other than the 
Coast Guard) and comprised of medical evaluation boards, 
physical evaluation boards, counseling of members, and 
final disposition by appropriate personnel authorities, as 
operated by the Secretaries of the military departments, 
and, in the case of the Coast Guard, a similar system or 
process operated by the Secretary of Homeland Security.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The standardized training 
program and curriculum required by subsection (e) of sec-
tion 1216 of title 10, United States Code, as added by 
subsection (a), shall be established not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 108. IMPROVED TRAINING FOR HEALTH CARE PRO-
FESSIONALS, 
MEDICAL 
CARE 
CASE 
MAN-
AGERS, AND SERVICE MEMBER ADVOCATES 
ON PARTICULAR CONDITIONS OF RECOV-
ERING SERVICE MEMBERS. 
(a) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
of Defense shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a report setting forth recommendations for the 
improvement of the training provided to health care pro-
fessionals, medical care case managers, and service mem-
ber advocates who provide care for or assistance to recov-
ering service members. The recommendations shall in-
clude, at a minimum, specific recommendations to ensure 
that such health care professionals, medical care case 
managers, and service member advocates are adequately 
trained and able to detect early warning signs of post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal tendencies, 
and other mental health conditions among recovering serv-
ice members and make prompt notification to the appro-
priate health care professionals. 
(b) ANNUAL REVIEW OF TRAINING.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and 
annually thereafter throughout the global war on terror, 
the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congres-
sional committees a report on the following: 
(1) The progress made in providing the training 
recommended under subsection (a). 
(2) The quality of training provided to health 
care professionals, medical care case managers, and 
service member advocates, and the number of such 
professionals, managers, and advocates trained.
(3) The progress made in developing the track-
ing system under subsection (c) and the results of 
the system. 
(c) TRACKING SYSTEM.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall develop a system to track the number of notifications 
made by medical care case managers and service member 
advocates to health care professionals regarding early 
warning signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and sui-
cide in recovering service members assigned to the man-
agers and advocates. 
SEC. 109. PILOT PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH AN ARMY 
WOUNDED WARRIOR BATTALION AT AN AP-
PROPRIATE ACTIVE DUTY BASE. 
(a) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED.—
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of the 
Army shall establish a pilot program, at an appro-
priate active duty base with a major medical facility, 
based on the Wounded Warrior Regiment program 
of the Marine Corps. The pilot program shall be 
known as the Army Wounded Warrior Battalion. 
(2) PURPOSE.—Under the pilot program, the 
Battalion shall track and assist members of the 
Armed Forces in an outpatient status who are still 
in need of medical treatment through—
(A) the course of their treatment; 
(B) 
medical 
and 
physical 
evaluation 
boards; 
(C) transition back to their parent units; 
and 
(D) medical retirement and subsequent 
transition into the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs medical system. 
(3) ORGANIZATION.—The commanding officer 
of the Battalion shall be selected by the Army Chief 
of Staff and shall be a post-command, at O–5 or O–
5 select, with combat experience in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. The 
chain-of-command shall be filled by previously 
wounded junior officers and non-commissioned offi-
cers when available and appropriate. 
(4) FACILITIES.—The base selected for the 
pilot program shall provide adequate physical infra-
structure to house the Army Wounded Warrior Bat-
talion. Any funds necessary for construction or ren-
ovation of existing facilities shall be allocated from 
the Department of Defense Medical Support Fund 
established under this Act. 
(5) COORDINATION.—The Secretary of the 
Army shall consult with appropriate Marine Corps
counterparts to ensure coordination of best practices 
and lessons learned. 
(6) PERIOD
OF
PILOT
PROGRAM.—The pilot 
program shall be in effect for a period of one year. 
(b) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 90 
days after the end of the one-year period for the pilot 
project, the Secretary of the Army shall submit to Con-
gress a report containing—
(1) an evaluation of the results of the pilot 
project; 
(2) an assessment of the Army’s ability to es-
tablish Wounded Warrior Battalions at other major 
Army bases. 
(3) recommendations regarding—
(A) the adaptability of the Wounded War-
rior Battalion concept for the Army’s larger 
wounded population; and 
(B) closer coordination and sharing of re-
sources with counterpart programs of the Ma-
rine Corps. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The pilot program required 
by this section shall be implemented not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 110. CRITERIA FOR REMOVAL OF MEMBER FROM TEM-
PORARY DISABILITY RETIRED LIST. 
(a) CRITERIA.—Section 1210(e) of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting ‘‘of a permanent na-
ture and stable and is’’ after ‘‘physical disability is’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall apply to any case received for consid-
eration by a physical evaluation board after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 111. IMPROVED TRANSITION OF MEMBERS OF THE 
ARMED FORCES TO DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS AFFAIRS UPON RETIREMENT OR SEP-
ARATION. 
(a) TRANSITION OF MEMBERS SEPARATED OR RE-
TIRED.—
(1) TRANSITION PROCESS.—Chapter 58 of title 
10, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after section 1142 the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1142a. Process for transition of members to health 
care and physical disability systems of 
Department of Veterans Affairs 
‘‘(a) TRANSITION PLAN.—(1) The Secretary of De-
fense shall ensure that each member of the armed forces 
who is being separated or retired under chapter 61 of this 
title receives a written transition plan that—
‘‘(A) specifies the recommended schedule and 
milestones for the transition of the member from 
military service; and 
‘‘(B) provides for a coordinated transition of 
the member from the Department of Defense dis-
ability system to the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs. 
‘‘(2) A member being separated or retired under 
chapter 61 of this title shall receive the transition plan 
before the separation or retirement date of the member. 
‘‘(3) The transition plan for a member under this 
subsection shall include information and guidance de-
signed to assist the member in understanding and meeting 
the schedule and milestones for the member’s transition. 
‘‘(b) FORMAL TRANSITION PROCESS.—(1) The Sec-
retary of Defense, in cooperation with the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs, shall establish a formal process for the 
transmittal to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of the 
records and other information described in paragraph (2) 
as part of the separation or retirement of a member of 
the armed forces under chapter 61 of this title. 
‘‘(2) The records and other information to be trans-
mitted under paragraph (1) with respect to a member 
shall include, at a minimum, the following:
‘‘(A) The member’s address and contact infor-
mation. 
‘‘(B) The member’s DD–214 discharge form, 
which shall be transmitted electronically. 
‘‘(C) A copy of the member’s service record, in-
cluding medical records and any results of a Phys-
ical Evaluation Board. 
‘‘(D) Whether the member is entitled to transi-
tional health care, a conversion health policy, or 
other health benefits through the Department of De-
fense under section 1145 of this title. 
‘‘(E) Any requests by the member for assist-
ance in enrolling in, or completed applications for 
enrollment in, the health care system of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs for health care benefits for 
which the member may be eligible under laws admin-
istered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
‘‘(F) Any requests by the member for assist-
ance in applying for, or completed applications for, 
compensation and vocational rehabilitation benefits 
to which the member may be entitled under laws ad-
ministered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, if 
the member is being medically separated or is being 
retired under chapter 61 of this title.
‘‘(3) The transmittal of information under paragraph 
(1) may be subject to the consent of the member, as re-
quired by statute. 
‘‘(4) With the consent of the member, the member’s 
address and contact information shall also be submitted 
to the department or agency for veterans affairs of the 
State in which the member intends to reside after the sep-
aration or retirement of the member. 
‘‘(c) MEETING.—(1) The formal process required by 
subsection (b) for the transmittal of records and other in-
formation with respect to a member shall include a meet-
ing between representatives of the Secretary concerned 
and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, which shall take 
place at a location designated by the Secretaries. The 
member shall be informed of the meeting at least 30 days 
in advance of the meeting, except that the member may 
waive the notice requirement in order to accelerate trans-
mission of the member’s records and other information to 
the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
‘‘(2) A member shall be given an opportunity to sub-
mit a written statement for consideration by the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs. 
‘‘(d) TIME FOR TRANSMITTAL OF RECORDS.—The 
Secretary concerned shall provide for the transmittal to 
the Department of Veterans Affairs of records and other
information with respect to a member at the earliest prac-
ticable date. In no case should the transmittal occur later 
than the date of the separation or retirement of the mem-
ber. 
‘‘(e) ARMED FORCES.—In this section, the term 
‘armed forces’ means the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Ma-
rine Corps.’’. 
(2) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by in-
serting after the item relating to section 1142 the 
following new item:
‘‘1142a. Process for transition of members to health care and physical disability 
systems of Department of Veterans Affairs.’’.
(b) UNIFORM SEPARATION AND EVALUATION PHYS-
ICAL.—Section 1145 of such title is amended—
(1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as 
subsections (e) and (f), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the fol-
lowing new subsection: 
‘‘(d) UNIFORM SEPARATION AND EVALUATION PHYS-
ICAL.—The joint separation and evaluation physical, as 
described in DD–2808 and DD–2697, shall be used by 
the Secretary of Defense in connection with the medical 
separation or retirement of all members of the armed 
forces, including members separated or retired under 
chapter 61 of this title. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall adopt the same separation and evaluation physical 
for use by the Department of Veterans Affairs.’’. 
(c) INTEROPERABILITY OF MEDICAL INFORMATION 
SYSTEMS AND BI-DIRECTIONAL ACCESS.—The Secretary 
of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall es-
tablish and implement a single medical information system 
for the Department of Defense and the Department of 
Veterans Affairs for the purpose of ensuring the complete 
interoperability and bi-directional, real-time exchange of 
critical medical information. 
(d) CO-LOCATION OF VA BENEFIT TEAMS.—
(1) CO-LOCATION.—The Secretary of Defense 
and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly 
determine the optimal locations for the deployment 
of Department of Veterans Affairs benefits team to 
support recovering service members assigned to mili-
tary medical treatment facilities, medical-related 
support facilities, and community-based health care 
organizations. 
(2) MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITY 
DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘medical-re-
lated support facility’’ has the meaning given that 
term in subsection (b) of section 490 of title 10, 
United States Code, as added by section 201(a) of 
this Act.
(e) REPEAL OF SUPERSEDED CHAPTER 61 MEDICAL 
RECORD TRANSMITTAL REQUIREMENT.—
(1) REPEAL.—Section 1142 of such title is 
amended by striking subsection (c). 
(2) SECTION HEADING.—The heading of such 
section is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 1142. Preseparation counseling’’. 
(3) TABLE OF SECTIONS.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of chapter 58 of such title is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 
1142 and inserting the following new item:
‘‘1142. Preseparation counseling.’’.
(f) EFFECTIVE DATES.—Section 1142a of title 10, 
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), and sub-
section (d) of section 1145 of such title, as added by sub-
section (b), shall apply with respect to members of the 
Armed Forces who are separated or retired from the 
Armed Forces on or after the first day of the eighth month 
beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. The 
requirements of subsections (c) and (d), and the amend-
ments made by subsection (e), shall take effect on the first 
day of such eighth month.
SEC. 112. ESTABLISHMENT OF MEDICAL SUPPORT FUND 
FOR SUPPORT OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
FORCES RETURNING TO MILITARY SERVICE 
OR CIVILIAN LIFE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.—There is es-
tablished on the books of the Treasury a fund to be known 
as the Department of Defense Medical Support Fund 
(hereinafter in this section referred to as the ‘‘Fund’’), 
which shall be administered by the Secretary of the Treas-
ury. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The Fund shall be used—
(1) to support programs and activities relating 
to the medical treatment, care, rehabilitation, recov-
ery, and support of wounded and injured members 
of the Armed Forces and their return to military 
service or transition to civilian society; and 
(2) to support programs and facilities intended 
to support the families of wounded and injured 
members of the Armed Forces. 
(c) ASSETS OF FUND.—There shall be deposited into 
the Fund any amount appropriated to the Fund, which 
shall constitute the assets of the Fund. 
(d) TRANSFER OF FUNDS.—
(1) AUTHORITY TO TRANSFER.—The Secretary 
of Defense may transfer amounts in the Fund to ap-
propriations accounts for military personnel; oper-
ation and maintenance; procurement; research, de-
velopment, test, and evaluation; military construc-
tion; and the Defense Health Program. Amounts so 
transferred shall be merged with and available for 
the same purposes and for the same time period as 
the appropriation account to which transferred. 
(2) ADDITION
TO
OTHER
AUTHORITY.—The 
transfer authority provided in paragraph (1) is in 
addition to any other transfer authority available to 
the Department of Defense. Upon a determination 
that all or part of the amounts transferred from the 
Fund are not necessary for the purposes for which 
transferred, such amounts may be transferred back 
to the Fund. 
(3) NOTIFICATION.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall, not fewer than five days before making a 
transfer from the Fund, notify the congressional de-
fense committees in writing of the details of the 
transfer. 
(e) WOUNDED WARRIOR REGIMENT PROGRAM.—The 
Secretary of Defense shall ensure that $10,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2007 is transferred from the Medical Support 
Fund to support programs, activities, and facilities associ-
ated with the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment 
program, to be used as follows:
(1) $6,550,000 for Case Management and Pa-
tient Support. 
(2) $1,200,000 for Wounded Warrior Interim 
Regimental Headquarters Building conversion. 
(3) $1,300,000 for Case Management System 
Development. 
(4) $95,000 for Support Equipment. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION.—There is hereby authorized to 
be appropriated to the Medical Support Fund, from an 
emergency supplemental appropriation for fiscal year 
2007 or 2008, $50,000,000, to remain available through 
September 30, 2008. 
SEC. 113. OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is hereby established a 
board to be known as the Oversight Board for Wounded 
Warriors (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Oversight 
Board’’). 
(b) COMPOSITION.—The Oversight Board shall be 
composed of 12 members, of whom—
(1) two shall be appointed by the majority lead-
er of the Senate; 
(2) two shall be appointed by the minority lead-
er of the Senate; 
(3) two shall be appointed by the Speaker of 
the House of Representatives;
(4) two shall be appointed by the minority lead-
er of the House of Representatives; 
(5) two shall be appointed by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs; and 
(6) two shall be appointed by the Secretary of 
Defense. 
(c) QUALIFICATIONS.—All members of the Oversight 
Board shall have sufficient knowledge of, or experience 
with, the military healthcare system, the disability evalua-
tion system, or the experience of a recovering service mem-
ber or family member of a recovering service member. 
(d) APPOINTMENT.—
(1) TERM.—Each member of the Oversight 
Board shall be appointed for a term of three years. 
A member may be reappointed for one or more addi-
tional terms. 
(2) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Oversight 
Board shall be filled in the same manner in which 
the original appointment was made. 
(e) DUTIES.—
(1) ADVICE
AND
CONSULTATION.—The Over-
sight Board shall provide advice and consultation to 
the Secretary of Defense and the Committees on 
Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Rep-
resentatives regarding—
(A) the process for streamlining the dis-
ability evaluation systems of the military de-
partments; 
(B) the process for correcting and improv-
ing the ratios of case managers and service 
member advocates to recovering service mem-
bers; 
(C) the need to revise Department of De-
fense policies to improve the experience of re-
covering service members while under Depart-
ment of Defense care; 
(D) the need to revise Department of De-
fense policies to improve counseling, outreach, 
and general services provided to family mem-
bers of recovering service members; 
(E) the need to revise Department of De-
fense policies regarding the provision of quality 
lodging to recovering service members; and 
(F) such other matters relating to the eval-
uation and care of recovering service members, 
including evaluation under disability evaluation 
systems, as the Board considers appropriate. 
(2) VISITS TO MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT 
FACILITIES.—In carrying out its duties, each mem-
ber of the Oversight Board shall visit not less than
three military medical treatment facilities each year, 
and the Board shall conduct each year one meeting 
of all the members of the Board at a military med-
ical treatment facility. 
(f) STAFF.—The Secretary shall make available the 
services of at least two officials or employees of the De-
partment of Defense to provide support and assistance to 
members of the Oversight Board. 
(g) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Members of the Oversight 
Board shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem 
in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees 
of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, 
United States Code, while away from their homes or reg-
ular places of business in the performance of service for 
the Oversight Board. 
(h) ANNUAL REPORTS.—The Oversight Board shall 
submit to the Secretary of Defense and the Committees 
on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Rep-
resentatives each year a report on its activities during the 
preceding year, including any findings and recommenda-
tions of the Oversight Board as a result of such activities.
SEC. 114. OPTION FOR MEMBERS OF RESERVE COMPO-
NENTS TO USE MILITARY MEDICAL TREAT-
MENT FACILITIES CLOSEST TO HOME FOR 
CERTAIN INJURIES. 
The Secretary of Defense shall provide that, in the 
case of members of the reserve components returning from 
a combat theater, if a member requires treatment on an 
outpatient basis for injuries or wounds sustained in the-
ater, the member may be provided treatment at the mili-
tary medical treatment facility closest to the member’s 
home rather than closest to the base from which the mem-
ber was deployed. 
SEC. 115. PLANS AND RESEARCH FOR REDUCING POST 
TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. 
(a) PLANS FOR REDUCING POST TRAUMATIC STRESS 
DISORDER.—
(1) PLAN FOR PREVENTION.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of De-
fense shall develop a plan to incorporate evi-
dence-based preventive and early-intervention 
measures, practices, or procedures that reduce 
the likelihood that personnel in combat will de-
velop post-traumatic stress disorder or other 
stress-related psychopathologies (including sub-
stance use conditions) into—
(i) basic and pre-deployment training 
for enlisted members of the Armed Forces, 
noncommissioned officers, and officers; 
(ii) combat theater operations; and 
(iii) post-deployment service. 
(B) UPDATES.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall update the plan under subparagraph (A) 
periodically to incorporate, as the Secretary 
considers appropriate, the results of relevant re-
search, including research conducted pursuant 
to subsection (b). 
(2) RESEARCH.—Subject to subsection (b), the 
Secretary of Defense shall develop a plan, in con-
sultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
the National Institutes of Health, and the National 
Academy of Sciences, to conduct such research as is 
necessary to develop the plan described in paragraph 
(1). 
(b) EVIDENCE-BASED RESEARCH AND TRAINING.—
(1) WORKING GROUP.—The Secretary of De-
fense shall conduct a study, in coordination with the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Insti-
tutes of Health, and the National Academy of 
Sciences’ Institute of Medicine, to determine the fea-
sibility of establishing a working group tasked with
researching and developing evidence-based measures, 
practices, or procedures that reduce the likelihood 
that personnel in combat will develop post-traumatic 
stress disorder or other stress-related psychological 
pathologies (including substance use conditions). 
The working group shall include personnel with ex-
perience in a combat theater, and behavioral health 
personnel who have experience providing treatment 
to individuals with experience in a combat theater. 
(2) PEER-REVIEWED
RESEARCH
PROGRAM.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall sub-
mit to Congress a plan for a peer-reviewed research 
program within the Defense Health Program’s re-
search and development function to research and de-
velop evidence-based preventive and early interven-
tion measures, practices, or procedures that reduce 
the likelihood that personnel in combat will develop 
post-traumatic stress disorder or other stress-related 
psychopathologies (including substance use condi-
tions). 
(c) REPORT.—The Secretary of Defense shall submit 
to Congress annually a report on the plans and studies 
required under this section.
TITLE II—STUDIES AND 
REPORTS 
SEC. 201. ANNUAL REPORT ON MILITARY MEDICAL FACILI-
TIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—
(1) REPORT
REQUIREMENT.—Chapter 23 of 
title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding 
at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 490. Annual report on military medical facilities 
‘‘(a) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than the date on 
which the President submits the budget for a fiscal year 
to Congress pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, the Sec-
retary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on 
Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Represent-
atives a report on the adequacy, suitability, and quality 
of medical facilities and medical-related support facilities 
at each military installation within the Department of De-
fense. 
‘‘(b) RESPONSE TO HOT-LINE INFORMATION.—The 
Secretary of Defense shall include in each report informa-
tion regarding—
‘‘(1) any deficiencies in the adequacy, quality, 
or state of repair of medical-related support facilities 
raised as a result of information received during the 
period covered by the report through the toll-free hot
line maintained pursuant to section 1567 of this 
title; and 
‘‘(2) the investigations conducted and plans of 
action prepared under such section to respond to 
such deficiencies. 
‘‘(c) MEDICAL-RELATED SUPPORT FACILITY.—In 
this section, the term ‘medical-related support facility’ is 
any facility of the Department of Defense that provides 
support to any of the following: 
‘‘(1) Members of the armed forces admitted for 
treatment to military medical treatment facilities. 
‘‘(2) Members of the armed forces assigned to 
military medical treatment facilities as an out-
patient. 
‘‘(3) Family members accompanying any mem-
ber described in paragraph (1) or (2) as a nonmed-
ical attendant.’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions at the beginning of such chapter is amended 
by adding at the end the following new item:
‘‘490. Annual report on military medical facilities.’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The first report under sec-
tion 490 of title 10, United States Code, as added by sub-
section (a), shall be submitted not later than the date of 
submission of the budget for fiscal year 2009.
SEC. 202. ACCESS OF RECOVERING SERVICE MEMBERS TO 
ADEQUATE OUTPATIENT RESIDENTIAL FA-
CILITIES. 
(a) REQUIRED INSPECTIONS
OF FACILITIES.—All 
quarters of the United States and housing facilities under 
the jurisdiction of the Armed Forces that are occupied by 
recovering service members shall be inspected on a semi-
annual basis for the first two years after the enactment 
of this Act and annually thereafter by the inspectors gen-
eral of the regional medical commands. 
(b) INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORTS.—The inspector 
general for each regional medical command shall—
(1) submit a report on each inspection of a fa-
cility conducted under subsection (a) to the post 
commander at such facility, the commanding officer 
of the hospital affiliated with such facility, the sur-
geon general of the military department that oper-
ates such hospital, the Secretary of the military de-
partment concerned, the Assistant Secretary of De-
fense for Health Affairs, the Oversight Board for 
Wounded Warriors established pursuant to section 
112, and the appropriate congressional committees; 
and 
(2) post each such report on the Internet 
website of such regional medical command.
SEC. 203. EVALUATION AND REPORT ON DEPARTMENT OF 
DEFENSE AND DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS DISABILITY EVALUATION SYSTEMS. 
(a) EVALUATION.—The Secretary of Defense and the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a joint evalua-
tion of the disability evaluation systems used by the De-
partment of Defense and the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs for the purpose of—
(1) improving the consistency of the two dis-
ability evaluation systems; and 
(2) evaluating the feasibility of, and potential 
options for, consolidating the two systems. 
(b) RELATION TO VETERANS’ DISABILITY BENEFITS 
COMMISSION.—In conducting the evaluation of the dis-
ability evaluation systems used by the Department of De-
fense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Sec-
retary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall consider the findings and recommendations of the 
Veterans’ Disability Benefits Commission established pur-
suant to title XV of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Public Law 108–136; 38 U.S.C. 
1101 note). 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the submission of the final report of the Veterans’ Dis-
ability Benefits Commission, the Secretary of Defense and
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress 
a report containing—
(1) the results of the evaluation; and 
(2) the recommendations of the Secretaries for 
improving the consistency of the two disability eval-
uation systems and such other recommendations as 
the Secretaries consider appropriate. 
SEC. 204. STUDY AND REPORT ON SUPPORT SERVICES FOR 
FAMILIES OF RECOVERING SERVICE MEM-
BERS. 
(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense 
shall conduct a study of the provision of support services 
for families of recovering service members. 
(b) MATTERS COVERED.—The study under sub-
section (a) shall include the following: 
(1) A determination of the types of support 
services that are currently provided by the Depart-
ment of Defense to family members described in 
subsection (c), and the cost of providing such serv-
ices. 
(2) A determination of additional types of sup-
port services that would be feasible for the Depart-
ment to provide to such family members, and the 
costs of providing such services, including the fol-
lowing types of services:
(A) The provision of medical care at mili-
tary medical treatment facilities. 
(B) The provision of job placement services 
offered by the Department of Defense to any 
family member caring for a recovering service 
member for more than 45 days during a one-
year period. 
(C) The provision of meals without charge 
at military medical treatment facilities. 
(3) A survey of military medical treatment fa-
cilities to estimate the number of family members to 
whom the support services would be provided. 
(4) A determination of any discrimination in 
employment that such family members experience, 
including denial of retention in employment, pro-
motion, or any benefit of employment by an em-
ployer on the basis of the person’s absence from em-
ployment as described in subsection (c), and a deter-
mination, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Labor, of the options available for such family mem-
bers. 
(c) COVERED FAMILY MEMBERS.—A family member 
described in this subsection is a family member of a recov-
ering service member who is—
(1) on invitational orders while caring for the 
recovering service member; 
(2) a non-medical attendee caring for the recov-
ering service member; or 
(3) receiving per diem payments from the De-
partment of Defense while caring for the recovering 
service member. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense 
shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the 
results of the study, with such findings and recommenda-
tions as the Secretary considers appropriate. 
SEC. 205. REPORT ON TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY CLASSI-
FICATIONS. 
(a) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Serv-
ices of the Senate and the House of Representatives an 
interim report describing the changes undertaken within 
the Department of Defense to ensure that traumatic brain 
injury victims receive a proper medical designation con-
comitant with their injury as opposed to the current med-
ical designation which assigns a generic ‘‘organic psy-
chiatric disorder’’ classification.
(b) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Serv-
ices of the Senate and the House of Representatives a 
final report concerning traumatic brain injury classifica-
tions and an explanation and justification of the Depart-
ment’s use of the international classification of disease 
(ICD) 9 designation, recommendations for transitioning to 
ICD 10 or 11, and the benefits the civilian community 
experiences from using ICD 10. 
SEC. 206. EVALUATION OF THE POLYTRAUMA LIAISON OF-
FICER/NON-COMMISSIONED 
OFFICER 
PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) EVALUATION REQUIRED.—The Secretary of De-
fense shall conduct an evaluation of the Polytrauma Liai-
son Officer/Non-Commissioned Officer program, which is 
the program operated by each of the military departments 
and the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purpose 
of—
(1) assisting in the seamless transition of mem-
bers of the Armed Forces from the Department of 
Defense health care system to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs system; and
(2) expediting the flow of information and com-
munication between military treatment facilities and 
the Veterans Affairs Polytrauma Centers. 
(b) MATTERS COVERED.—The evaluation of the 
Polytrauma Liaison Officer/Non-Commissioned Officer 
program shall include evaluating the following areas: 
(1) The program’s effectiveness in the following 
areas: 
(A) Handling of military patient transfers. 
(B) Ability to access military records in a 
timely manner. 
(C) Collaboration with Polytrauma Center 
treatment teams. 
(D) Collaboration with Veteran Service Or-
ganizations. 
(E) Functioning as the Polytrauma Cen-
ter’s subject-matter expert on military issues. 
(F) Supporting and assisting family mem-
bers. 
(G) Providing education, information, and 
referrals to members of the Armed Forces and 
their family members. 
(H) Functioning as uniformed advocates 
for members of the Armed Forces and their 
family members.