Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 113 Part 1.djvu/716

 113 STAT. 692 PUBLIC LAW 106-65—OCT. 5, 1999 10 USC 1097b note. Deadline. (iii) by striking "the reasonable cost of and inserting "a reasonable charge for"; (B) in subsection (g), by striking "the costs of; and (C) in subsection (h)(1), by striking the first sentence and inserting "The term 'third-party payer' means an entity that provides an insurance, medical service, or health plan by contract or agreement, including an automobile liability insurance or no fault insurance carrier, and any other plan or program that is designed to provide compensation or coverage for expenses incurred by a beneficiary for health care services or products.". (2) Section 1095b(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking the first and second sentences after the heading and inserting the following: "The United States shall have the same right to collect charges related to claims described in subsection (a) as charges for claims under section 1095 of this title.". (d) EFFECTIVE DATE. —The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 717. COMPARATIVE REPORT ON HEALTH CARE COVERAGE UNDER THE TRICARE PROGRAM. Not later than March 31, 2000, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report including a comparison of health care coverage available through the TRICARE program with the coverage available under similar health benefits plans offered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program established under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code. Such comparison shall include, but not be limited to, a comparison of cost sharing requirements, overall costs to beneficiaries, covered benefits, and exclusions from coverage. Subtitle C—Other Matters SEC. 721. FORENSIC PATHOLOGY INVESTIGATIONS BY ARMED FORCES MEDICAL EXAMINER. (a) INVESTIGATION AUTHORITY. —Chapter 75 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by striking the heading for the chapter and inserting the following: "CHAPTER 75—DECEASED PERSONNEL "Subchapter Sec. "I. Death Investigations 1471 "II. Death Benefits 1475 " SUBCHAPTER I—DEATH INVESTIGATIONS "Sec. "1471. Forensic pathology investigations. "§ 1471. Forensic pathology investigations Regulations. "(a) AUTHORITY.— Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense, the Armed Forces Medical Examiner may conduct a forensic pathology investigation to determine the cause or manner of death of a deceased person if such an investigation is determined

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