To require the Secretary of Defense to make testing for the coronavirus disease 19 available to all members of the Armed Forces deployed to an area in which the United States Central Command has responsibility.

Bill: 116-hr-6310
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]
Introduced: 2020-03-19
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Congressional oversight

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Military medicine

Military personnel and dependents
Latest action: action_date: 2020-03-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-03-19
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to make available, to specified servicemembers, testing for the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19).</p> <p>The bill requires that testing be made available to all members of the Armed Forces deployed to an area in which the United States Central Command has responsibility (presently including 20 nations in the Middle East, Central Asia,&nbsp;and South Asia). </p> <p>DOD shall report on policies or protocols provided to members of the Armed Forces regarding testing. </p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6310 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 19, 2020 Mr. Pocan introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services A BILL To require the Secretary of Defense to make testing for the coronavirus disease 19 available to all members of the Armed Forces deployed to an area in which the United States Central Command has responsibility.

1. Testing for COVID-19 for certain members of the Armed Forces (a) In general Not later than 7 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall make testing for the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) available to all members of the Armed Forces deployed to an area in which the United States Central Command has responsibility. (b) Report on policies and protocols Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report setting forth any formal policies or protocols provided to members of the Armed Forces regarding how to be tested for the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). (c) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Defense such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.