DELAY IN CLOSURE OF ARMY HOSPITAL AT VICENZA, ITALY.

SEC. 733. DELAY IN CLOSURE OF ARMY HOSPITAL AT VICENZA, ITALY. (a) Closure Delay.— During fiscal year 1995, the Secretary of the Army may not reduce the level of medical care services provided by the United States Army Hospital at Vicenza, Italy. (b) Report on Hospital.— Not later than March 1, 1995, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report regarding the operation of the Army Hospital at Vicenza, Italy. The report shall contain the following: (1) A description of the number and demographic characteristics of members of the Armed Forces on active duty and covered beneficiaries under chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, who typically receive medical care services at the hospital, including those members and covered beneficiaries stationed or residing at (or in the immediate vicinity of) Aviano Air Force Base and Camp Darby. (2) An analysis of the projected costs or savings, including the cost of CHAMPUS benefits, resulting from the programmed closure of the hospital. (3) A description of the differences in practice patterns between American and Italian doctors, such as differences in the normal lengths of stay for the most frequent inpatient admissions (including childbirth) and the availability of alternative methods of providing anesthesia during childbirth. (4) An analysis of the feasibility of establishing a birthing center for the area and patients currently served by the hospital, to be staffed primarily by American nurse-midwives. (5) A detailed plan for ensuring the availability of quality medical care, consistent with American medical practice patterns, for covered beneficiaries residing in Northern Italy.