Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 117.djvu/1548

 PUBLIC LAW 108–136—NOV. 24, 2003

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. SEC. 706. LIMITATION ON FISCAL YEAR 2004 OUTLAYS FOR TEMPORARY RESERVE HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS.

Deadline.

10 USC 1076b note.

(a) OUTLAY LIMITATION.—In the administration of the temporary Reserve health care programs, the Secretary of Defense shall carry out those program so as to limit the total Department of Defense expenditures under those programs during fiscal year 2004 to an amount not in excess $400,000,000. (b) CONTINUITY OF CARE.—In the administration of the temporary Reserve health care programs, the Secretary of Defense shall carry out the implementation and termination of those programs so as to ensure the least amount of disruption to the continuity of care for persons provided care under those programs. (c) TEMPORARY RESERVE HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS.—For purposes of this section, the term ‘‘temporary Reserve health care programs’’ means the following: (1) The program under section 1076b of title 10, United States Code, as amended by section 702. (2) The program under section 1074(d) of title 10, United States Code, as amended by section 703. (3) The program under section 704. SEC. 707. TRICARE BENEFICIARY COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE COORDINATORS FOR RESERVE COMPONENT BENEFICIARIES.

Section 1095e(a)(1) of title 10, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subparagraph (A); (2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); and (3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraph (B): ‘‘(B) designate for each of the TRICARE program regions at least one person (other than a person designated under subparagraph (A)) to serve full-time as a beneficiary counseling and assistance coordinator solely for members of the reserve components and their dependents who are beneficiaries under the TRICARE program; and’’.

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