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(5) Long-term and short-term studies to identify
unanticipated benefits and adverse events from vac-
cines.
(6) Educational outreach for immunization pro-
viders and those requiring immunizations.
(7) The development, dissemination, and valida-
tion of educational materials for Department of De-
fense healthcare workers relating to vaccine safety, ef-
ficacy, and acceptability.
SEC. 721. MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS UNDER TRICARE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1079(a) of title 10, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
‘‘(17) Services of mental health counselors, except
that—
‘‘(A) such services are limited to services
provided by counselors who are licensed under
applicable State law to provide mental health
services;
‘‘(B) such services may be provided inde-
pendently of medical oversight and supervision
only in areas identified by the Secretary as
‘medically underserved areas’ where the Sec-
retary determines that 25 percent or more of the
residents are located in primary shortage areas
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designated pursuant to section 332 of the Public
Health Services Act (42 U.S.C. 254e); and
‘‘(C) the provision of such services shall be
consistent with such rules as may be prescribed
by the Secretary of Defense, including criteria
applicable to credentialing or certification of
mental health counselors and a requirement that
mental health counselors accept payment under
this section as full payment for all services pro-
vided pursuant to this paragraph.’’.
(b) AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO PERSONAL SERVICES
CONTRACTS.—Section 704(c)(2) of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1995 (Public Law 103–
337; 108 Stat. 2799; 10 U.S.C. 1091 note) is amended by
inserting ‘‘mental health counselors,’’ after ‘‘psychologists,’’.
SEC. 722. PANDEMIC AVIAN FLU PREPAREDNESS.
(a) REPORT.—The Secretary of Defense shall report to
the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the
House of Representatives efforts within the Department of
Defense to prepare for pandemic influenza, including pan-
demic avian influenza. The Secretary shall address the fol-
lowing, with respect to military and civilian personnel—
(1) the procurement of vaccines, antivirals and
other medicines, and medical supplies, including per-
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sonal protective equipment, particularly those that
must be imported;
(2) protocols for the allocation and distribution
of vaccines and medicines among high priority popu-
lations;
(3) public health containment measures that
may be implemented on military bases and other fa-
cilities, including quarantine, travel restrictions and
other isolation precautions;
(4) communication with Department of Defense
affiliated health providers about pandemic prepared-
ness and response;
(5) surge capacity for the provision of medical
care during pandemics;
(6) the availability and delivery of food and
basic supplies and services;
(7) surveillance efforts domestically and inter-
nationally, including those utilizing the Global
Emerging Infections Systems (GEIS), and how such
efforts are integrated with other ongoing surveillance
systems;
(8) the integration of pandemic and response
planning with those of other Federal departments, in-
cluding the Department of Health and Human Serv-
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ices, Department of the Veterans Affairs, Department
of State, and USAID; and
(9) collaboration (as appropriate) with inter-
national entities engaged in pandemic preparedness
and response.
(b) SUBMISSION OF REPORT.—Not later than 120 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of De-
fense shall submit the report to the Committees on Armed
Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
SEC. 723. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON EXPANDED
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT
OF DEFENSE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF VET-
ERANS 
AFFAIRS 
ON 
THE 
PROVISION 
OF
HEALTH CARE SERVICES.
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller
General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report on the feasibility of an ex-
panded partnership between the Department of Defense and
the Department of Veterans Affairs for the provision of
health care services.
(b) REPORT ELEMENTS.—The report required by sub-
section (a) shall include the following: