STUDY AND PLAN TO IMPROVE MILITARY HEALTH CARE.

SEC. 721. STUDY AND PLAN TO IMPROVE MILITARY HEALTH CARE.(a) Study and Report Required.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the health care needs of dependents (as defined in section 1072(2) of title 10, United States Code). The report shall include, at a minimum, the following:(1) With respect to both the direct care system and the purchased care system, an analysis of the type of health care facility in which dependents seek care.(2) The 10 most common medical conditions for which dependents seek care.(3) The availability of and access to health care providers to treat the conditions identified under paragraph (2), both in the direct care system and the purchased care system.(4) Any shortfalls in the ability of dependents to obtain required health care services.(5) Recommendations on how to improve access to care for dependents.(6) With respect to dependents accompanying a member stationed at a military installation outside of the United States, the need for and availability of mental health care services.(b) Enhanced Military Health System and Improved TRICARE.—(1) In general.—The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the other administering Secretaries, shall undertake actions to enhance the capability of the military health system and improve the TRICARE program.(2) Elements.—In undertaking actions to enhance the capability of the military health system and improve the TRICARE program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the following actions:(A) Actions to guarantee the availability of care within established access standards for eligible beneficiaries, based on the results of the study required by subsection (a).(B) Actions to expand and enhance sharing of health care resources among Federal health care programs, including designated providers (as that term is defined in section 721(5) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1997 (Public Law 104-201; 110 Stat. 2593; 10 U.S.C. 1073 note)).(C) Actions using medical technology to speed and simplify referrals for specialty care.(D) Actions to improve regional or national staffing capabilities in order to enhance support provided to military medical treatment facilities facing staff shortages.(E) Actions to improve health care access for members of the reserve components and their families, including such access with respect to mental health care and consideration of access issues for members and their families located in rural areas.(F) Actions to ensure consistency throughout the TRICARE program to comply with access standards, which 123 STAT. 2386 are applicable to both commanders of military treatment facilities and managed care support contractors.(G) Actions to create new budgeting and resource allocation methodologies to fully support and incentivize care provided by military treatment facilities.(H) Actions regarding additional financing options for health care provided by civilian providers.(I) Actions to reduce administrative costs.(J) Actions to control the cost of health care and pharmaceuticals.(K) Actions to audit the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System to improve system checks on the eligibility of TRICARE beneficiaries.(L) Actions, including a comprehensive plan, for the enhanced availability of prevention and wellness care.(M) Actions using technology to improve direct communication with beneficiaries regarding health and preventive care.(N) Actions to create performance metrics by which to measure improvement in the TRICARE program.(O) Such other actions as the Secretary, in consultation with the other administering Secretaries, considers appropriate.(c) Quality Assurance.—In undertaking actions under this section, the Secretary of Defense and the other administering Secretaries shall continue or enhance the current level of quality health care provided by the Department of Defense and the military departments with no adverse impact to cost, access, or care.(d) Consultation.—In considering actions to be undertaken under this section, and in undertaking such actions, the Secretary shall consult with a broad range of national health care and military advocacy organizations.(e) Reports Required.—(1) Initial report.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees an initial report on the progress made in undertaking actions under this section and future plans for improvement of the military health system.(2) Report required with fiscal year 2012 budget proposal.—Together with the budget justification materials submitted to Congress in support of the Department of Defense budget for fiscal year 2012 (as submitted with the budget of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code), the Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report setting forth the following:(A) Updates on the progress made in undertaking actions under this section.(B) Future plans for improvement of the military health system.(C) An explanation of how the budget submission may reflect such progress and plans.(3) Periodic reports.—The Secretary shall, on a periodic basis, submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the progress being made in the improvement of the TRICARE program under this section.(4) Elements.—Each report under this subsection shall include the following:123 STAT. 2387(A) A description and assessment of the progress made as of the date of such report in the improvement of the TRICARE program.(B) Such recommendations for administrative or legislative action as the Secretary considers appropriate to expedite and enhance the improvement of the TRICARE program.(f) Definitions.—In this section:(1) The term “administering Secretaries” has the meaning given that term in section 1072(3) of title 10, United States Code.(2) The term “TRICARE program” has the meaning given that term in section 1072(7) of title 10, United States Code.