COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON CONTRACT HEALTH CARE STAFFING FOR MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITIES.

SEC. 726. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON CONTRACT HEALTH CARE STAFFING FOR MILITARY MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITIES. (a) Report.—Not later than March 31, 2013, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate a report on the contracting activities of the military departments with respect to providing health care professional services to members of the Armed Forces, dependents, and retirees. (b) Matters Included.—The report under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) A review of the contracting practices used by the military departments to provide health care professional services by civilian providers. (2) An assessment of whether the contracting practices described in paragraph (1) are the most cost effective means to provide necessary care. (3) A determination of— (A) the percentage of contract health care professionals who provide services to members of the Armed Forces, dependents, or retirees in military medical treatment facilities or other on-base facilities; and (B) the percentage of contract health care professionals who provide services to members of the Armed Forces, dependents, or retirees in off-base private facilities. (4) A comparison of the cost associated with the provision of care by contract health care professionals described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3). (5) An assessment of whether or not consolidating health care staffing requirements for military medical treatment facilities and other on-base clinics in defined geographic areas (including regions or catchment areas) would achieve economies of scale and cost savings or avoidance with respect to contracting for health care professionals. (6) An assessment of whether private sector entities that provide health care professional staff on a contract basis to military medical treatment facilities and other on-base clinics meet certain basic standards of professionalism, including those described in section 732(c)(2)(A) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law 109-364; 120 Stat. 2297). (7) An assessment of the acquisition training and experience of the contracting officers or other personnel within military medical treatment facilities that award or administer contracts regarding the services of health care professionals. (8) Any recommendations the Comptroller General considers appropriate regarding improving the contracting activities of the military departments with respect to providing health care professional services.