PROVISION OF FOOD TO CERTAIN MEMBERS AND DEPENDENTS NOT RECEIVING INPATIENT CARE IN MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITIES.

SEC. 704. PROVISION OF FOOD TO CERTAIN MEMBERS AND DEPENDENTS NOT RECEIVING INPATIENT CARE IN MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITIES. (a) In General.—Chapter 55 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1078a the following new section: “SEC. 1078b. Provision of food to certain members and dependents not receiving inpatient care in military medical treatment facilities “(a) In General. (1) Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary may provide food and beverages to an individual described in paragraph (2) at no cost to the individual. “(2) An individual described in this paragraph is the following: “(A) A member of the uniformed services or dependent— “(i) who is receiving outpatient medical care at a military medical treatment facility; and “(ii) whom the Secretary determines is unable to purchase food and beverages while at such facility by virtue of receiving such care. “(B) A member of the uniformed services or dependent— “(i) who is a family member of an infant receiving inpatient medical care at a military medical treatment facility; “(ii) who provides care to the infant while the infant receives such inpatient medical care; and “(iii) whom the Secretary determines is unable to purchase food and beverages while at such facility by virtue of providing such care to the infant. “(C) A member of the uniformed services or dependent whom the Secretary determines is under similar circumstances as a member or dependent described in subparagraph (A) or (B). “(b) Regulations. The Secretary shall ensure that regulations prescribed under this section are consistent with generally accepted practices in private medical treatment facilities.” . (b) Clerical Amendment.—The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1078a the following new item: “1078b. Provision of food to certain members and dependents not receiving inpatient care in military medical treatment facilities.” . (c) [10 U.S.C. 1078b note] Effective Date.—The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.