LIMITATION ON REDUCTIONS IN MEDICAL PERSONNEL

SEC. 711. LIMITATION ON REDUCTIONS IN MEDICAL PERSONNEL (a) Limitation on Reduction.— The Secretary of Defense may not reduce the number of medical personnel below the number of such medical personnel serving on September 30, 1989, unless the Secretary of Defense— (1) certifies to the Congress that— (A) the number of such personnel being reduced is excess to the current and projected needs of the military departments; and (B) such reduction will not result in an increase in the cost of health care services provided under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services; and (2) in the case of military personnel, includes in the certification the information specified in subsection (b). (b) Information Required.— A certification made by the Secretary of Defense in compliance with subsection (a)(2) shall include the following: (1) The strength levels for the individual category of medical personnel involved in the reduction as of September 30, 1989. (2) The projected requirements of the Department of Defense over the five-fiscal year period following the fiscal year in which the certification is submitted for medical personnel in the category of medical personnel involved in the reduction. (3) The strength level recommended for each component of the Armed Forces for the most recent fiscal year for which the Secretary submitted recommendations pursuant to section 115a(g)(1) of title 10, United States Code (as added by section 1483), for personnel in the category of medical personnel involved in the reduction. (c) Definitions.— For purposes of this section: (1) The term “medical personnel” has the meaning given that term in section 115a(g)(2) of title 10, United States Code (as added by section 1483), except that such term includes civilian personnel of the Department of Defense assigned to military medical facilities. 104 STAT. 1583 (2) The term “category of medical personnel” means— (A) each corps referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (C) of section 115a(g)(2) of such title (as added by section 1483); (B) each designation referred to in subparagraph (B) of such section; (C) the enlisted personnel referred to in subparagraph (D) of such section; and (D) other medical personnel designated as medical personnel by the Secretary pursuant to subparagraph (E) of such section, if any.