Pub. L. 84-569, tit. II, sec. 201

Sec. 201. (a) In Order to assure the availability of medical care for the spouses and children who are dependents of members of the uniformed services, the Secretary of Defense, after consultation with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, shall contract for medical care for such persons, pursuant to the provisions of this title, under such insurance, medical service, or health plan or plans as he deems appropriate, which plan or plans shall, subject to the provisions of section 204 hereof, include the following: (1) Hospitalization in semiprivate accommodations up to three hundred and sixty-five days for each admission, including all necessary services and supplies furnished by the hospital during inpatient confinement; (2) Medical and surgical care incident to a period of hospitalization; (3) Complete obstetrical and maternity service, including prenatal and postnatal care; (4) Required services of a physician or surgeon prior to and following hospitalization for a bodily injury or for a surgical operation; (5) Diagnostic tests and procedures, including laboratory and X-ray examinations, accomplished or recommended by a physician incident to hospitalization. For each admission the plan shall also provide for payment by the patient of hospital expenses incurred under paragraph (1) hereof in the amount of either (1) $25 or (2) the charge established pursuant to section 103 (c) of this Act multiplied by the number of days hospitalized, whichever is the greater. (b) Subsection (a) shall be subject to such reasonable limitations, additions, exclusions, definitions, and related provisions as the Secretary of Defense, after consultation with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, may deem appropriate, except that medical care normally considered to be outpatient care shall not be authorized by this subsection. (c) The dependents covered under this section may elect to receive medical care under the terms of this Act in either the facilities of a uniformed service under the conditions specified in title I of this Act or in the facilities provided for under such insurance, medical service, 70 Stat. 253 or health plan or plans as may be provided by the authority contained in this section, except that the right to such election may be limited under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, after consultation with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, for such dependents residing in areas where the member concerned is assigned and where adequate medical facilities of a uniformed service are available for such dependents.