ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS OF RESERVES FOR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS.

SEC. 705. ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS OF RESERVES FOR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS.(a) GAO Evaluation of Needs of Reserve Components for Health Care Benefits.—The Comptroller General shall evaluate the needs of members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces and their families for obtaining and maintaining coverage for health care benefits under health care benefits plans and programs.(b) Special Concern.—In conducting the evaluation under this section, the Comptroller General shall give special consideration to the implications of the increased use of the reserve components for carrying out and supporting operations of the Armed Forces that has been experienced since the 1980s and is anticipated to continue, particularly the increased frequency and magnitude of the mobilization of Reserves and the increased length of the periods of active duty of Reserves when mobilized.(c) Matters Covered.—The evaluation under this section shall include the following matters:(1) An examination of the extent to which Reserves and the members of their families are covered by health care benefits plans when the Reserves are not on active duty, including—(A) the sources of the coverage; (B) the scope of the benefits; and(C) the extent to which the Reserves and the members of their families use the benefits available.(2) An identification of options for providing health care benefits to Reserves and the members of their families not covered by health care benefits plans without creating an incentive for other Reserves to terminate coverage by such plans.(3) A review of Department of Defense initiatives during fiscal years 2003 and 2004 to address the problems of access of mobilized Reserves and their families to health care and health care benefits, including—(A) a determination of the effectiveness of such initiatives; and(B) a determination of the extent to which the problems continue.(4) An identification of options for continuing, after a Reserve is mobilized, any coverage of the Reserve and the Reserve’s family that exists under a health benefits plan before the Reserve is mobilized.(5) An assessment of the effects of—(A) the provisions of this title that authorize or require the Department of Defense to provide assistance specifically to Reserves to facilitate the access to and use of TRICARE benefits by Reserves or members of their families; and(B) the provisions of this title that provide eligibility for health care under chapter 55 of title 10, United States 117 STAT. 1529 Code, for Reserves who are alerted by the Department of Defense to prepare to be mobilized imminently.(6) An examination of the existing programs under which the Department of Defense provides health care benefits to mobilized Reserves during a transitional period immediately following the release of the Reserves from the active duty for which mobilized, including an assessment of the extent to which those programs meet the needs of such Reserves for health care benefits on a transitional basis.(d) Report.—Not later than May 1, 2004, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the results of the evaluation required by this subsection, including findings and recommendations.(e) Definitions.—In this section:(1) The term “mobilized” means called or ordered to active duty for a period of more than 30 days (as defined in section 101(d)(2) of title 10, United States Code).(2) The term “Reserves” means members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces.